A  HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


5 


QUITMAN  GUARDS 


SIXTEENTH  MISSISSIPPI  REGIMEM\ 

HABKIS'    BRIGADE, 


From  its  Organization  in  Holmesville,  21st  Afiul,  1861,  to  tub  SyiiKExoKK 

OF   THE   AkMT   of  NORTHERN   VIRGINIA,   9TH    Al'RIL,    18t!5. 


BY  ONE  OF  THE  QUITMAN  GUARDS. 


^  (^^/^/^Y^    /^/^^  ^/ic'-^^  ^^-       y^-^ap-^^J^—' 


/    y/1^      ^  ^^^"/^/'^<.'       -^ -^ ^  r' jf.j^ 
NEW     ORLEANS: 

ISAAC   T.  HINTON,    PRINTER,   27  COMMERCIAL  PLACE. 


Entered  according  to  an  Act  of  Congress  in  the  Clerk's  OfBce  of  the  United  States  District 
Court,  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Louisiana,  hy  Isaac  T.  Hinton,  Februarj',  1860. 


TO 

COL.  S.  MCNEIL  BAIN 

AND     THE 

0  F  F I C  E  K  S    AND    MEMBERS 

OP    THE 

QUITMAN   GUARDS, 

WITH 

GRATEFUL     REMEMBRANCE 

OP 

LONG    ASSOCIATION, 

^,  THIS      WORK     IS 

RESPECTFULLY     DEDICATED. 


592012 


V 


PREFACE 


The  author  of  the  following'  pages  was  induced  to  engage  in  the 
work  of  preparing  them  for  the  public  eye,  by  the  earnest  solicita- 
tions of  those  who  feel  a  deep  interest  in  the  career  of  the  "'Quit- 
man Gdaeds,"  and  by  the  request  of  the  remaining  members  of  that 
company,  by  whose  side  he  has  stood  in  the  scenes  which  he  has 
so  feebly  depicted.  Fully  aware  of  his  inability  to  prepare  a  work 
that  would  pass  the  ordeal  of  criticism,  and  interest  the  general 
reader,  he  shrank  from  the  task,  as  beyond  his  capacity;  but  being 
unwilling  that  the  heroic  conduct  and  unwavering  patriotism  of 
the  "  Quitman  Guards  "  should  sink  unrecorded  into  oblivion,  he 
nerved  himself  for  the  task,  and  the  following  pages  are  the  result- 
Having  to  write  principally  from  memory,  he  could  not,  in  many 
instances,  give  the  exact  date  of  important  incidents,  and  hopes 
that  any  want  of  precision'  that  may  be  noticed,  will  be  excused 
under  the  circumstances,  as  unavoidable. 

The  author  acknowledges,  with  profound  gratitude,  the  assist- 
ance rendered  by  Charles  Bancroft,  Esq.,  Clerk  of  Probate  of  Pike 
county. 


A  STATISTICAL  REPORT 


07 


COMPANY  E,   SIXTEENTH   MISSISSIPPI   REGIMENT, 
For  the  Years  1861-'2-'g,  and  up  to  the  1st  of  May,  1864. 


The  first  ISIiister  Roll  of  Comjpany  E,    Sixteenth  Mississippi  Regiment, 

organized  at  HolmesviUe,  Pike  County,  Mississippi,  April  21  st, 

1861,  and  mustered  into  the  Confederate  States  service 

In/  Captain  Walker,  at  Corinth,  Mississippi, 

on  the  21th  day  of  May,  1861.-. 


1  S.  A.  Matthews Captain 

2  James  M.  Nelson. . . .  1st  Lieutenant 

3  Thos.  R.  Stockdaie. ..2d  Lieutenant 

4  S.  McNeil  Bain od  Lieutenant 

5  Wm.  McCuslcer 1st  Sergeant 

6  R.  J.  R.  Bee 2d  Sergeant 

7  Golden  Wilson 3d  Sergeant 

8  ¥'.  P.  Jolinson 4th  Sergeant 

9  L.  W.  (Jonerly 5th  Sergeant 

10  Lewis  N.  Coney 1st  Corporal 

11  R.  T.  Hart 2d  Corporal 

12  Warren  R.  Ratliff..  . .  .3d  Corporal 

13  Chas.  A.  Ligon 4th  Corporal 

14  E.  G.  Cropper Ensign 

15  Wm.  Thad.  Tyler.  .Co.  Commis'r'y 

16  Andrews.  E.  C private 

17  Ast,  John " 

18  Ard,  A  E " 

19  Allen,  George  W •' 

20  Barksdale,  A.  J " 

21  Brent.  J.  Alexander " 

22  Brent  Geo.  W " 

23  Badon,  H.  B - 

24  Eurkhalter,  John  T " 

25  Eurkhalter,  Chas " 

26  Breed,  E " 

27  Barr,  Thos.  M « 

28  Coney.  Wm.L " 

29  Coney,  John  H '•• 

30  Crawford,  Jesse  D " 

31  Cook,  Thos.  D " 

32  Conerly,  Mark  R "    ' 


Collins,  Jos.  W private 

Carter,  Harvey  C " 

Coney.  Yan  C " 

Fry.  Chas.  H ^' 

Friedrich,  Phil.  J •' 

Forest.  Thos.  Jeff " 

Forest,  Benj.  F '• 

FoiL.LD   ." '■ 

Finch,  William •• 

Finch,  S.'eUis  F " 

Gamer,  William •' 

Gibson,  Jesse  F .  " 

Guinea,  Asa  11 " 

Gillespie.  J.  P ■> 

Holmes,  John " 

Holmes,  Benj " 

Hamilton,  0.  C " 

Harvey,  W.  Pearn " 

Hamilton,  Thomas " 

Howe.  Chas " 

Hewson.  George " 

Irwin,  James " 

Jelks,  Eugene  W " 

Jewell,   CoUingwood " 

Jones,  H.  L '• 

Ligon,  Lem  T " 

Lewis,  Jesse  W.  B " 

Lewis,  Benj.  H .♦. .  " 

Lewis,  Martin  L " 

Laney,  E.  A " 

Lamkin,  Chas.  A " 

Lamkin.  Samuel  R '' 


Muster  Roll — Continued. 


VIII 


65  Leonard,  David private 

66  Leonard,  John " 

67  Lawrence.  Irvin  Gr " 

68  Luter,  W.  D *■ 

69  Mcintosh,  D.  M »  " 

70  McGehee,  Wm.  F " 

71  McGehee.  J.  G.  L.,  Dr " 

72  McGill,  Henry " 

73  McCusker,  John '• 

74  McNabb,  James '■ 

75  Mixou.  A.  R - 

76  Matthews.  G.  N • 

77  Martin,  Wm 

78  May,  \Villiam •• 

79  May,  Jared  B " 

80  Morgan,  Green  W 

81  Newman,  Thos.  II ■ 

82  Neal,  James  N ■ 

83  Netherland.  Jos.  N ■• 

84  Pearson,  Holden 

85  Pendarvis,  James " 

86  Page,  James " 


87  Pearl,  Seth  W..  . 

88  Root.  George  W 
.89  RatliffSlm 

90  Regan,  Thos.  G. 

91  Reeves,  Wm.  R.. 

92  Rushing,  E.  T..  . 

93  Stovall,  Robt.  D. 

94  Southerland,  Alex 

95  Simmons.  George  B. 

96  Sandell,  S.  M.... 

97  Sparkman.  A.  P.. 

98  Tarbutton.  A.  J. . 

99  Tarver.  John  E.  J 

100  Travis.  John  Q.  .. 

101  Tisdale.  Joseph  M 
192  Walker,  John  A.. 

103  Walker,  Anderson 

104  Williams,  Wash.  L 

105  Winborne,  Benj.  F 

106  Wilson,  R.D.. 

107  Yarborongb,  Wesley 


A  List  of  RecruUs  tcho  have  Joined  the  Company  since  the,  Organization, 
and  in  tohat    Year. 


1  Andrews,  Thos.  J 1861|20 

2  Boutwell,  William 1863121 

3  Bankston,  B.  D 1861  22 

4  Barnes,  B.L 1861  23 

5  Barnett,  Jas.  A 1861  24 

6  Conerly.  Buxton  R 1864  25 

7  Colston,  John  A 1861  26 

8  Douahoo.  John  A 186127 

9  Estess,Wm.  A 1861  28 

10  Foxworth,  George 1861  29 

11  Guy,  Jesse  W 1861  30 

12  Guy,  Wm.  Jeff 1861  31 

13  Garner.  Ranson 1861 1 32 

14  HolhiWay,  Tho.s.  P 1861 1 33 

15  Kolloway,  Felix  H 1865,34 

16  Hartwell.  Chas.  E 1864  35 

17  Lamkin,  Wm.  J. . . ." 1862  36 

18  Lamkin,  Tilman  S . . . ' 1864  37 

19  Lyles,JohnY 186l|38 


McGehee,  H.  J 1861 

Miller,  George  W 1861 

Magee,  Wm.  Levi 1861 

Newman,  Joseph  li 1861 

Newman,  John  A ;  .1861 

Payne,  Wm.  L .  .    1861 

Rushing,  Warren  T 1861 

Rhodus.  Reeves. 1861 

Stanford,  James  D 1851 

Sandifer,  H.  D 18,61 

Sparkman,  Wm.  L 1862 

Scarborough.  Henry 1862 

Simmons,  Jeff.  B 1861 . 

Smith,  C.  C 1361 

Smith,  George l."S.'l 

Smith,  Dan.  J..... 1861 

Welch,  Samuel ISiJl 

Watts.  Arthur  T 1S»,:1 

Wilson,  Matthew 1881 


A  List  of  Men  Killed,  in  Battle  on  the  Field. 

1  Joseph  AV.  Collins Killed  in  battle  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va..  June  2d.  1862 

2  Je.sse  W.  Guy "  '•         at  Sharpsburg,  Md.,  Sept  17th,  1862 

3  Asa  H.  Guinea "  "         at  Gbancellorsville,   May  1st,  1863 

4  John  A.  Newman "  "  at  Chancellorsville,  Mp.y  1st,  1863 


A  List  of  Wounded  in  Battle,  tcken  and  where. 


IX 


1  John  Holmes,  2d  Lieutenant Richmond,  Va..  Jnne  27,  1862. 

2  Van  C.  Coney,  2d  Lieutenant Sharpshnig,  Md.,  Sept.   17,  1862. 

3  J.  Q.  Travis,  3d  Lieutenant Ciaancellorsville,  Va. ,  May  1st.  1863. 

4  Wm.  McCnsker,  2d  Sergeant Sliarpsburg,  Md. ,  Sept.   17,  1862. 

5  Benj .  Holmes,  3d  Sergeant  Manassas,  Va. ,  August  30,  1862. 

f)  Mat.  Wilson.  5th  Sergeant     Manassas,  Va. ,  August  30.  1862. 

7  A.  E.  Ard,  4th  Corporal       Sharpsburg,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

8  Barr.  T .  M . ,  private Sharpsburg,  Md . ,  Sept .  17, 1862 . 

9  Bankston.  B .  D .  do      Manassas.  Va.,  August  30,  1862. 

10  Conerly,  L.  W.  do      .Sharpsburg,  Md. ,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

n  ■!?„„„+    T'     T,.(f  /]r,  (  Chan  cello  rsville.  Va..  May  3, 1863. 

11  l^orest,   1.  Jefl.  do      \  n  ^t    i  r>     '  t  i     o   io.-q 

j  Gettysburg,  Fa.,  July  3.  1863. 

12  Garner,  Wm.  do     Cross  Kejs,  Va.,  June  8.  1862. 

13  Lamkin,  W.  J.  do      Manassas,  Va . ,  July  21,  1881. 

14  Leonard,  David  do      Sharpsburg,  Md..  Sept.  17,  1862. 

15  May,  Jared  B.  do      Cross  Keys,  Va. ,  June  8,  1862. 

16  Ratliff,  Sim.  do     Chancellbrsville,  Va  ,  May  1,  1863. 

17  Payne,  Wm.  L.  do     Chancellorsville,  Va..  May  1,  1863. 

18  Reeves.  W.  R.  do     Gettysburg-.  Pa..  July  4,  I'SGS. 

19  Root.  Geo.  W.  do     Richmond':  Va  ,  June  27.  1862. 

20  Rhodus,  R .      -  do     Sharpsburg,  Md. ,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

21  Sparkman,  A.  P.  do     Cross  Keys,  Va.,  June  S.  1862. 

22  Simmons.  Geo.  B.         do      Richmond,  Va.,  June  27,  1862. 

23  Tarbutton,  A.J.  do      Sharpsburg,  Md.,  Se.pt*  17.  1862. 

24  Walker.  John  A.  do      Manassas,  Va. ,  August  30,  1862. 

25  Williams.  W.   L.  do     Manassas.  Va. .  August  30.  1862. 

26  Wilson,  Colden,  1st  Lieut;     ....?...  .Sharpsburg,  Md.,  Sept.  17, 1862. 

27  Yarbo'rough.  Wes.  private Cross  Keys,  Va. ,  Jnne  8th,  1862. 

A  List  of  Men  who  have  Lied  of  Lisease,  when  and  tohere. 

1  Allen,  Geo.  Yv'.  private Warrenton.  Va. ,  Jan.  17,  1862. 

2  Barnes,  B.  L.  do     Page's  Land.  Va.,  Sept.  27,  1861. 

3  Burkhalter,  Chas.  do     Lynchburg,  Va.,  July.  1861. 

4  Brent,  Geo.  W.  do     Richmond,  Va .  .April  8,  1862 . 

5  Coney,  Lewis,  1st  Corporal  Corinth,  Miss. ,  July  29,  1861. 

6  Coney,  John  H.  private Gordonsville.  Va..  March  19,  1862. 

7  Carter,  Harvey  C .  do     Lynchburg.  Va . .  Feb .  4,  1862 . 

8  Foxworth,  Geo.  do     Richmond.  Va. .  Dec.  28,  1861. 

9  Finch,  Mm .  do     Holmesville,  Miss . ,  Aug .  2,  1861 . 

10  Finch,  MilusF.  do     Richmond,  Va..  Aug.  20,  1862. 

11  Foil,  J.  D.  do     Manassas.  Va., Feb.   28,  1862. 

12  Hamilton.  Thos .  do     Corinth,  Miss . ,  June  30,  1861 . 

13  Harvey,  Pearl  do     Corinth,  Miss.,  Julv  14,  1861. 

14  Howe,  Chas.  do     Hawks' Bill  Valley,  Va.,  June  1, '62. 

15  Johnson.  F.  P.  do     Corinth,  Miss. ,  June  17, 1861. 

16  Jones.  H.  L.  do     Lynchburg, Va.,  March  6,  1862. 

17  Lewis.  J.  W.  B.  do     Manassas.  Va.,  Feb.  16,  1862. 

18  Lewis,  B.H.  do     Corinth,  Miss.    June  12.  1861. 

19  Luter,  W.  D.  do     Corinth,  Miss.,  July  21, 1861. 

20  McNabb.  Jas.  do     Warrenton,  Va..  Jan.  1,  1862. 

21  Magee,  Wm .  Levi  do     Charlottsville,  Va. ,  May  6,  1862. 

22  Pendarvis,  James  do     Manassas,  Va . .  Feb .  8,  1862 . 

23  Smith,  Dan.  J.  do     Richmond,  Va.,  March  11.  1862. 

24  Walker,  Anderson         do     Centerville,  Va. ,  Sept.  23,  1861 . 


Southern  Pamphlets 

Rare  Book  Collection 

UNC-Chapel  Hiil 


X 


A   List   of  Disabled  Aim. 


J .  Q .  Travis 3(1  Lieutenant 

Cankston.  B.  D ^ Private. 

Garnei',  Wm do 

Leonard.  David do 

Rhodus  Reeve.s do 

Root,  G.   W do 

Sparkman,  A.  P do 

Williams,  W .  L do 


Loss  of  right  hand . 
Shot  in  hip. 
Shot  in  hip  and  thigh . 
Shot  in  hip  and  thigh . 
Shot  in  shoulder. 
Shot  in  both  knees. 
Shot  in  groin. 
Loss  of  left  arm . 


A  List,  of  Men  Discharged  avd  Transferred  and  where  to. 


1 

Ast,  John 

Discharged  from 
the  army. 

27 

Lewis,  Martin  L .  . 
Co.  A.,  IGthMiss 

Transferred 
.  Regt. 

to 

2 

Breed,  B 

do 

28 

May,  William. ..  .Discharged   from 

3 

Barnes,  Jas.  A. 

do 

the  army. 

4 

Barksdale,  A.  J 

do 

29 

Morgan,  Green  W. 

do 

5 

Barr,T.M 

do 

30 

McGehee,J.G.L.dr. 

do 

6 

Cropper.  E.  G.  . 

do 

31 

McCusker,  John.. . 

do 

7 

Cook,  Thos.  D.. 

do 

32 

Mcintosh,  D.  M... 

Transferred 

to 

8 

Coleston,  Jno.  A 

fio 

Co.  C,  IGthMiss. 

Reg't 

9 

Conerly,  M.  R.. 

do 

33 

Martin,  William . . 

Transferred 

to 

10 

Coney,  Wm.  L. . 

do 

2d  Co.  Washington  Art'y 

11 

Crawford,  J.  D.. 

do 

34 

Neal.  James Discharged   fr 

om 

12 

Estess,  W.  A . . .  . 

do 

the  army. 

13 

Forest,  B.  F.... 

do 

35 

Netherland,  J.   A. 

do 

14 

Gibson,  Jesse  F. 

do 

36 

Newman,  J.   B.    . 

♦do 

15 

Gillespie.  J. P.. 

do 

37 

Pearl,  Seth 

do 

16 

Garner.  Wm .... 

do 

38 

Ratliflf,  Warren  P. 

do 

17 

Hamlin,  0.  C... 

do 

39 

Rhodus,  Reeves. . 

do 

18 

Hewson,  Geo.  . . 

Transferred   to 

40 

Rushing,  W.   T... 

do 

Co.  D,  10th  Mi 

5S.  Reg't. 

41 

Smith,  C.  C 

do 

19 

HoUoway,  T.  P. 

Discharged  from 

42 

Sparkman   A.  P. . 

do 

the  army. 

43 

Sutherland,  Alex. 

do 

20 

Garner,  Rans . . . 

do 

44 

Tisdale,JM 

do 

21 

Irwin,  Jas 

do 

45 

Welch,  Samuel .  . . 

do 

22 

Laney,  E .   A . . . 

Transferred   to 

4(3 

Williams,  W.  L... 

do 

15th  Ala.  Rcg't 

47 

AVatts,  A.   T 

Transferred 

to 

23 

Leonard,  John. . 

Discharged  from 
the  army . 

Co.  A,  IGthMiss 

.Reg't. 

24 

Lamkin,  Chas.  A 

do 

25 

Ligon,  Chas.  A. 

do 

26 

Lawrence,  IrvinG            do 

A  List  of  Men  who  have  Died  of  their  Wounds. 

1  Colden  Wilson,  1st  Lieutenant.  .  .Died  at  Shepardstown,  Va.,  Oct.  23,  18G2. 

2  George  B.  Simmons, Private Died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  Jnly  17,  1862. 

3  Wesley  Yarborough,  Private Died  near  Port  Republic,  Va.,  1862. 


Officers  Promoted  from  the  Ranks,  awl  Date  of  each. 


XI 


1  R.  J.  R.  Bee.  3d  Lieut.,  promoted  from  2d  Serg't  to  3d  Lieut.,  June,  18G1. 

2  Golden  Wilson,  1st  Lt,  promoted  from  2d  Serg't  to  1st  Lieut.,  April  2(1,  ]  8G2. 

3  John  Holmes,  2d  Lieiit.,  promoted  from  Corporal  to  2d  Lieut.,  April,  18G2 

and  to  1st  Lieutenant,  March,  1863. 

4  Van  C.  Coney,  3d  Lieut.,  promoted  from  Corporal  to  3d  Lieut.,  April  26, 1862 

and  to  2d  Lieut.,  March,  ^S63. 

5  J.  Q.  Travis,  3d  Lieut.,  promoted  from  1st  Serg't  to  3d  Lieutenant  April  11, 

18G3,  for  meritorious  conduct. 

6  R.  T.  Hart,  Assistant  Surgeon,  promoted  from  ranks  to  Assistant  Surgeon, 

1862,  to  duty  at  Jackson,  Missis.sippi. 

List  of  those  who  have  been  in  the  Service  and  have  discharged  their  duties 
creditably  up  to  April,  1864. 


1  S.  McNeil  Bain, Captain 

2  John  Holmes, 1st  Lieutenant 

3  Van  C.  Coney, 2d  Lieutenant 

4  J.  Q.  Travis, 3d  Lieutenant 

5  E.  C.  Andrews 1st  Sergeant 

G  "Wm.  JMcCusker, 2d  Sergeant 

7  Benj.  Holmes 3d  Sergeant 

8  R.  D.  Stovall 4th  Sergeant 

9  Matthew  Wilson 5th  Sergeant 

10  Geo.  Smith 1st  Corporal 

11  H.  B.  Badon 2d  Corporal 

12  A.  E.  Ard 4th   Corporal 

13  A.  R.  Mixon. .  Reg't  Color  Serg't 

14  Phil.  J.  Friedrich   Musician 

1.5  Chai-les  H.  Fry Musician 

16  G.  N.  Matthews Musician 

17  Andrews,  Thomas Private 

18  Bee,  R.  J.  R " 

19  Brent,  J.  Alex " 

20  Burkhalter.  John  T •' 

21  Conerly.  Luke  W " 

22  Forest,  T.J " 

23  Guy,  Wm.  F " 


24  Jelks,  Eugene  W Private 

25  Jewell.  Collingwood " 

26  Lamkin,  Wm.  J " 

27  Ligon,  Lemuel  T " 

28  Lamkin,  Samuel  R " 

29  McGehee,  Wm.  F " 

30  Miller,  Geo.  W " 

31  May.  Jared  B " 

32  McGill,  Henry •' 

33  Newman,  Thos.  H " 

34  Page,  Jas '• 

35  Pearson,  Holden " 

36  Payne,  Wm.L " 

37  Ratliif,  Simeon " 

38  Rushing,  E.  T " 

39  Reeves,  W.  R " 

40  Sandall,S.M " 

41  Standford,  Jas.  D " 

42  Sandifer,  H.D " 

43  Tarver,  John  E.  J " 

44  Tyler,  Wm.  Thad " 

45  W^alker,  John  A " 

43  Winborn,  B.  F " 


A  List  of  Men  taken  Prisoner,  lohere,  and  how  long  confined. 

1  Luke  W.  Conerly,  in  Shenandoah  Valley,  June  27,  1862,  confined  at  Wash- 

ington, D.  C,  40  days. 

2  Samuel  B.  Lamkin,  in  Shenandoah  Valley,  June  12,  18G2,  confined  at  Camp 

•     Chase,  Ohio,  59  days. 

3  Geo.  Smith,  at  Chaucellorsville,  Va.,  May  4,  1863,   confined  at  Washington, 

D.  C.  20  days. 

4  Vr.  R.  Reeves,  VVilliamsport,  Md.,  July,  1863,  don't  know  where  sent. 


Birth  Place,  Occupation  and  Sesidenrx  of  Officers  in  time  of  peace. 

S.  A.  Matthews,  Captain,  born  in  Ohio,  lawyer  ;  residence,  Holmesville,  Miss. 

Retired  by  re-organization  of  the  army,  April  26,  18G2. 
Jas.  M.  Nelson,  1st  Lieut.,  born  in  Tenn.,  physician  ;  residence  " 

Retired  by  re-organization  of  the  army,  April  26,  1862. 
Thos.  R.  Stockdale,  2d  Lieut.,  born  in  Penn.,  lawyer  ;  residence  " 

Promoted  to  Major,  June,  18G1,  and  retired  by  re-organization 

of  the  army,  April  26,  1862. 


XII    Blrih  Place,  Occupation  and  Residence  of  Officers — Continued. 

i    S.  McNeil  Bain,  3d  Lieut.,  bora  in  N.  Y.,  Principal  of  Academy :   residence, 

Holniesville,    Mississippi.      Promoted  to    Captain,  April   26,   1862,   by 

re-organizaton  ol  the  army. 
5    R.  J.  R.  I3ee,  3d  Lieut.,  born  in  Georgia,  clerk ;   residence.  Magnolia,  Miss. 

Retired  by  re-organization  of  the  army,  April  26,  1862,  but 

afterwards  re-formed  the  company,  September,  1863. 
G    Van  C.  Coney,  3d  Lieut.,  born  in  Miss.,  planter ;  residence,  Holmesville,  Miss. 

Promoted  to  3d  Lieutenant  by  re-Organization  of  the  army, 

April  26,  1862— afterwards  promoted  2d  Lieut,  March  18,  1863. 
7    Golden  WiJ^son,  1st  Lieut.,  born  in  Miss.,  clerk  ;  residence  " 

Promoted  1st  Lieut,  by  re-organization  of  the  army,  Apri!  26,  1862. 
S    John  Plolmcs,  2d  Lieut.,  born  in  Miss.,  merchant ;  residence,  •  " 

Promoted  to  2d  Lieut,  by  re-organization  of  the  army,   April   26,  1862, 

and  afterwards  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenat,  March  18,  1863. 
9    J.  Q.  Travis,  od  Lieut.,  born  in  Miss.,  mechanic  ;    residence,  Magnolia,  Miss. 

Promoted  from  1st  Sergeant  to  3d  Lieut.,  April  II.  1863,  for  meritorious 

conduct  on  the  battle  field. 


Muster  Roll  of  Compatnj  E,  I'oth  Mississippi   Regiment,   of  the  Present 
and  Absent,  April  1,  1864 


1 

2  John  Holmes 1st  Lieutenant 

3  Van  C.  Couey 2d  Lieutenant 

4  J.  Q.  Travis 3d  Lieutenant 

5  E.  C.  Andrews 1st  Sergeant 

6  Wm.  McCusker 2d  Sergeant 

7  Benj.  Holmes  3d  Sergeant 

8  Rob t.  D.  Sto vail 4th  Sergeant 

9  Matthew  AVilsou 5th  Sergeant 

10  Geo.  Smith 1st  Corporal 

11  Jeff.  E.  Simmons 2d  Corporal 

12  Henry  B.  Bacon 3d  Corporal 

13  A.  E.  Ard 4th  Corporal 

14  A.  R.  ]\Iixon . . .  Reg't-  Color  Serg't 

15  Phil.  J.  Friedrich Musician 

16  Chas.  H.  Fry Musician 

17  Geo.  N.  Matthews Musician 

18  Andrews,   Thos.  J Private 

19  Bee,  R.J.  R " 

20  Brent,  J.  Alexander •' 

21  Burkhalter.  John  T " 

22  Boutwell,  AVm " 

23  Bankston,  B.  D •' 

24  Conerly,  Luke  W *' 

25  Conerly,  Buckstown  R '• 

26  Donahoo,  John  A " 

27  Forest,  Thos.  Je.ff '•• 

28  Guy,  Wm.  Jeff ^' 

29  Jelks,  Eugene  W " 

30  Jewell,  CoUingwood " 

31  Hartwell,  Chas.  E " 


32  Ligon,   Lem.  T Private 

33'  Lamkin,  Samuel  R " 

34  Lamkin,  AVni.  <i '•' 

35  Lamkin,  Tilman  S " 

36  Leonard,   David '• 

37  Lyles,   John  Y •• 

38  McGill,  Henry " 

39  McGehee,  Wm.  F " 

40  McGehee,  Handsford  J " 

41  May,  JaredB '• 

42  Miller,   Geo.  W •• 

43  Newman,  Thos.  H '• 

44  Page,  James " 

45  Payne,  Wm.  Lafayette " 

46  Pearson,  Holdeu " 

47  Root,  George  W " 

48  Ratlifl",  Sim '• 

49  Regan,  Thos.  G '• 

50  Rushing,  Elisha  T '• 

51  Reeves,  Wm.  R " 

52  Sandall,  S.  Murray..* " 

53  Standford,  Jas.  D " 

54  Sandifer,   Hansford  D " 

55  Sparlvman,  Wm.  L " 

56  Scarborough,  Henry " 

57  Tarver.  John  E.  J " 

58  Tyler,  Wm.  Thaddeus " 

59  Tarbutton,  A.  J " 

60  Wilson,  Rudolphus  D " 

61  Walker,  John  A " 

62  Winborn.  Benj.  F. " 


Officers  Retired. 

S.  A.  Matthews,  Captain  ;  Jas.  M.  Nelson,  1st  Lieutenant ;  Thos.  R.  Stockdale> 
2d  Lieutenant ;  R.  J.  R.  Bee,  3d  Lieutenant,  retired  April  26,  1862. 


u  cf,  c*«4i-^ 


>ii* 


A  Statistical  Report  of  Company  E,  Sixteenth  Mississippi  Regiment  for  the 
Campaign  of  1864,  and  dp  to  the  Surrender  of  the  Northern  Army  op 
Virginia,  April  9th,  1865. 

A  List  of  Mm-  Killed  in  Satlle,  {on  the  field,)  When  and  Where. 

1  E.  T.  Rushing,  private,   Idlled  at  Bloody  Bend,  (Spotsylvania  C.  H.,  Va.,) 

May  12,  18(J4.  ' 

2  A.  R.  Mixon,  Regt.  Color  Sergeant,  killed  at  Bloody  Bend,  (Spotsylvania 

C.  H.,  Va.,)  May  12,  1864. 

3  J.  D.  Standford,  private,  killed  at  Turkey  Ridge,  Va.,  June  6.  1864. 

4  Mat.  Wilson,  5th  Sergeant,  killed  at  Wilderness,  Va..  May  6,  1864. 

6  A.  E.  Ard,  4th  Corporal,  killed  on  Weldon  Railroad,  Va.,  Aug.  21, 1864. 

6  T.  S.  Lamkin,  private,  "  "  '• 

7  W.  L.  Sparkman.  private,  killed  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  April  3,  1865. 

8  Robt.  D.  Stovall.  4th  Serg't,        " 

9  Jas.  Page,  private,  killed  in  the  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Oct.  9,  1864. 


List  of  Men  who  have  Died  of  Disease. 

1  S.  M.  Sandall,  died  in  hospital  at  Richmond,  Va.,  July,  1864. 

2  J.  Y.  Lyles,  supposed  to  have  died  somewhere  in  Virginia  in  1862. 

3  W.  R.  Reeves,  supposed  to  have  died  while  a  prisoner  in  1863. 


A  List  of  Men  Wounded  in  the  Camjpaign  of  1864  and  1865. 

1  J.  A.  Walker,  wounded  at  Turkey  Ridge,  Va.,  June,  1864. 

2  L.  T.  Ligon,         "  "  " 

3  X.  J.  Forest,       "        in  the  trenches  in  front  of  Petersburg,  July,  1864. 

4  J.  A.  Donahoo.  "  "  '•  •'  Sept.,  1864. 

5  J.  Alex.  Brent,  "  "  '•  "  " 

6  H.  Pearson,  wounded  on  the  Weldon  Railroad,  August  21,  1864. 

7  Sam.  R.  Lamkin,        "  "  " 

8  W.J.  Lamkin,  "  '^  " 

9  H.  D.  Sandifer,  wounded  at  Spotsylvania  C.  H..  May  12.  1864. 
10  L.  W.  Conerly, 

n  R.D.  Stovall,  "  "  "     . 

A  List  of  Men  Captured  in  the  Ca^mpaign  0/1864  amd  1865. 

1  S.  McNeil  Bain,  Captain,  captured  on  Weldon  Railroad,  August  21,  1864. 

2  John  Holmes,  Ist  Lieut,  "  " 

3  Van  C.  Coney,  2d  Lieut,  "  " 

4  E.  C.  Andrews,  1st  Sergt,  "  " 

5  W.McCusker,  2d  Sergt,  "  " 

6  Benj.  Holmes,  3d  Sergt;  "  " 

7  Burkhalter,  J.  T.,  private,  captured  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  July,  1865. 

8  Jewell,  CoUinwood,  private,  captured  on  Weldon  Railroad,  Aug.  21, 1864. 

9  Newman,  Thos.  H.,  private,  captured  at  Petersburg.  September,  1864. 

10  Jelks,  E.  W. 

11  Miller,  Geo.  W.  "  "  " 

12  Lamkin,  S.  R.,  private,  captured  on  Weldon  Railroad,  August  21,  1864. 

13  McGehee,  W.F.      '^  ■'  £< 

14  McGehee,  H.  J.        •'  '.'  ^'  " 


M. 


XIV 


Lisi  of  Men  Captured — Continued. 


15  Pearson,  H.,  private,   captured  on  Weldon  Railroad,  August  21,  1864. 

16  Walker,  John  A.   "  "  '■  " 

17  Saudifer,  H.  D.,  captured  at  Bloody  Bend,  Va.,  May  12,  1864. 


18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 


List  of  Men  Captured  April,  1865. 


Andrews,   Thos.  J Private 

Badon.  H.  B " 

Bankston,  B.  D " 

Conerly,  B.  R " 

Conerly,  L.  W " 

Fry,  Chas.  H " 

Friedrich,  Phil.  J " 

Hartwell,  Chas.  E " 

HoUoway,  Felii  H " 

Lamkin,  W.  J "    ~ 

Ligon,  L.  T " 


29  Matthews,  Geo.  N Private 

30  May,  JaredB " 

31  Pearson,  H •" 

32  Root,  Geo.  W " 

33  Reagan,  Thos.  G " 

34  Scarborough,  H " 

35  Smith,  George " 

36  Tyler,  Wm.  Thaddeus '• 

37  Tarver.  John  E.  J » 

38  Wilson,  R.  D " 

39  Winborn,B.  F " 


A  List  of  Men  Disabled. 

1  Thos.  Jeff.  Forrest,  lost  use  of  left  arm  by  explosion  of  a  shell,  July,  1864. 

2  Sam.  R.  Lamkin,  lost  left  arm  by  shell,  August  21,  1864. 

3.    J.  A.  Brent,  shot  in  the  head  by  Minie  ball,  September,  1864. 
4    H.  D.  Sandifer,  shot  in  legs,  May  12, 1864. 

Men  Transferred,  and  to  Wliat  Command. 
Henry  McGill,  to  2d  Company  Washington  Artillery. 

List  of  Men  Living  and  Belonging  to  Company  E,  Sixteenth  Mississippi 
Regiment,  May  1.  1865. 


1  S.  McNeil  Bain, Captain 

2  John  Holmes, 1st  Lieutenant 

3  Van  C.  Coney, 2d  Lieutenant 

4  J.  Q.  Travis, 3d  Lieutenant 

5  E.  C.  Andrews, 1st  Sergeant 

6  Wm.  McCusker, 2d  Sergeant 

7  Benj.  Holmes, 3d  Sergeant 

8  Geo.  Smith 1st  Corporal 

9  Jeif.  E.  Simmons 2d  Corporal 

10  H.  B.  Bado  n 3d  Corporal 

11  Andrews,  Thos.  J Private 

12  Brent,  J.  Alex " 

13  Bankston,  B.  D " 

44  Boutwell,Wm " 

22  Burkhalter,  John  T " 

16  Bee,  R.  J.  R " 

17  Conerly,  Luke  W " 

18  Conerly,B.  R " 

19  Donahoo,  John  A " 

20  Forest,  T.J " 

21  Friedrich,  Phil.  J " 

22  Fry,  Charles  H " 

23  Guy,  Wm.  F " 

24  Hartwell,  Chas.  E " 

24  HoUoway,  Felix  H " 


26  Jelks,  Eugene  W; Private 

27  Jewell,  CoUingwood " 

28  Lamkin,  Samuel  R " 

29  Lamkin,  Wm.  J " 

30  Leonard,  David " 

31  Ligon,  Lemuel  T " 

32  Matthew,  Geo.  N   " 

33  McGehee,  Wm.  F " 

34  McGehee,  Handsford  J " 

35  May.  Jared  B " 

36  Miller,  Geo.  W " 

37  Newman,  Thos.  H " 

38  Payne,  Wm.L " 

39  Pearson,  Holden " 

40  Ratlifif,  Simeon " 

41  Regan,  Thos.  G " 

42  Root.  George  W " 

43  Sandifer,   Hansford  D " 

44  Scarborough.  Henry " 

45  Tarver,  John  E.  J " 

46  Tyler,  Wm.  Thad " 

47  Tarbutton,  A  J.  .■ •' 

48  Wilson,  R.  D " 

49  Winboru,B.  F " 

40    Walker.  John  A " 


Officers  Promoted.  XV 

S.  McNeil  Bain,  Captain,  promoted  from  Captain  to  Lieut.  Colonel  of  Sixteenth 
Mississippi  Regiment. 

Recapitulation  of  Company  E,  May  1,  1865. 

Men  Enlisted  May  27,  1861 107 

Men  Recruited  in  1863,  '64,  '65 38 

Total. . .' 145 

Men  who  have  died  from  Disease 27 

Men  who  have  been  killed  in  battle 13 

Men  who  have  died  from  wounds  received  in  battle 3 

Men  who  have  been  discharged  and  transferred 48 

Officers  who  have  been  retired  by  the  re-organization  of  the  army 4 

Men  living  and  belonging  to  the  company  May  1,  1865 50 

Total • 145 


A  Statement  of  the  Quitman  Guards  from  the  first  organization  lop  to  the 
time  of  being  placed  in  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  Regiment,  and  knoion 
as  Company  E,  of  said  Regiment,  7ip  to  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  April  9th,  1865. 

The  Quitman  Guards  were  organized  at  Holmesville,  Pike 
County,  Mississippi,  on  the  21st  day  of  April,  1861,  and  then  mus- 
tered into  the  service  of  the  State  of  Mississippi  by  Capt.  GriflSth> 
and  on  the  26th  day  of  May,  1861,  left  the  town  of  Holmesville  to 
rendezvous  at  Corinth,  Mississippi,  and  on  the  2tth  day  of  May, 
1861,  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  Confederate  States  by 
Capt.  Walker,  and  assigned  a  place  in  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi 
Regiment  as  Company  E  of  said  Regiment. 

JOHN  HOLMES,  1st  Lieutenant, 

Com'd'g  Co.  E,  Uth  Miss.  Reg.,  C.  S.  A. 


HISTORICiL  SKETCfl  OF  THE  OUITMM  SHARDS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Organization  of  tlie    Ooixipany. 

In  1861,  when  the  political  elements  of  our  country  began  to  be 
disturbed,  when  the  Southern  States  began  to  withdraw  fiom  the 
Federal  Union,  when  Mississippi  had  passed  the  ordinance  of 
secession  and  war  seemed  inevitable,  a  call  was  made  by  Governor 
J.  J.  Pettus  for  volunteers  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  the  Stite,  in 
order  to  defend  a  right  which  she  deemed  just  and  honorable.  It 
was  proposed  to  raise  a  company  in  Holmcsville,  the  county  site 
of  Pike,  to  respond  to  the  Governor's  call.  Npr  were  the  sons  of 
old  Pike  deaf  to  that  call;  but,  filled  witl;  a  spirit  of  devotion  to 
Southern  interest,  and  actuated  by  the  stern  necessities  of  the 
times,  with  hearts  throbbing  fervently  for  the  love  of  their  homes 
and  their  State,  they  readily  responded  to  the  call  that  had  been 
made  by  the  Governor  for  them,  and  soc:""  a  compan}^  of  one  hun- 
dred and  seven  men  were  gathered  together  and  subscribed  their 
names  to  the  list  of  volunteers.  The  organization  was  soon  made 
complete,  and  Samuel  A.  Matthews,  long  a  resident  of  Pike,  and 
well  known  to  all  her  citizens,  was  given  the  honorable  and  very 
responsible  position  of  captain  of  this  excellent  companj'.  The 
company  was  composed  of  men  of  almost  every  profession.  Law- 
yers, doctors,  farmers,  blacksmiths,  machinists,  carpenters,  shoe- 
makers, tailors,  jewelers,  etc.,  all  united  to  operate  in  one  common 
cause,  to  share  alike  the  marches,  the  fatigues,  the  trials  and  the 
sufferings  which  it  was  but  natural  that  they  should  undergo  in 
following  a  military  life.  As  soon  as  official  information  was 
received  in  the  military'  department  of  the  State  of  the  organiza- 


lion  of  the  Quitman  Guards,  a  name  given  to  the  company  in 
honor  of  one  of  Mississippi's  heroic  sons  who  figured  extensively 
in  the  Mexican  war,  and  a  name  which  they  felt  it  an  feonor  to 
bear,  Captain  Griffith,  (afterwards  Brigadier-General  in  the  Con- 
federate States  service)  was  sent  to  Holmesvilie  to  muster  the 
company  into  the  service  of  the  State;  and  on  tlie  21st  of  April, 
1861,  Captain  Matthews  assembled  his  company  for  that  purpose. 
They  were  drawn  up  in  line  on  the  court  house  square,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  a  large  assemblage  of  ladies — some  of  the  fairest  of  Pike, 
and  after  a  very  handsome  speech  from  Captain  Griffith,  in  which 
he  reminded  them  of  the  sufferings  the}'  would  have  to  undergo, 
in  case  hostilities,  which  had,  already  begun  between  the  Federal 
government  and  some  of  the  seceded  States,  should  continue,  they 
were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  State.  Little  did  that  band 
of  patriots  dream  of  tlie  task  before  themj  little  did  they  think  of 
being  engaged  in  a  devastating  war  that  would  desolate  their 
land,  and  whose  magnitude  was  unparalleled  by  any  of  modern 
date  in  regard  to  its  fierceness  and  human  carnage.  But  they 
heeded  not  the  dangers  or  the  sufferings;  they  bad  hearts  that  could 
dare  and  do;  hearts  that  were  not  to  be  intimidated  by  the  thoughts 
of  dangers  or  the  sufferings  that  lay  before  them.  Oh  I  how  their 
bosoms  swelled  with  pride  and  patriotism  as  they  stood  there  on 
that  old  square  in  the  bloom  of  manhood,  in  the  presence  of  so 
many  of  Pike's  fairest  daughters,  their  mothers,  their  sisters,  and 
those  for  whom  their  youthful  hearts  beat  quicker  in  the  hopes  of 
future  happiness,  who  had  come  to  see  them  take  the  vow  to  defend 
their  homes  and  their  dearest  interest.  And  what  must  have  been 
the  feelings  of  those  ladies  while  they  gazed  upon  their  manly 
forms,  as  they  stood  there  promising  their  lives  as  a  sacrifice  at 
the  shrine  of  their  country's  honor — a  living  wall  between  them 
and  those  who  would  injure  them  or  deprive  them  of  their  just 
rights.  After  they  were  mustered  in,  and  the  organization  was  an- 
nounced as  complete,  and  the  men  were  informed  that  they  were 
then  at  the  disposal  of  the  State,  they  wei'e  dispersed,  and  each 
man  returned  to  his  liomc  to  await  orders,  assembling  now   and 


then  for  the  purpose  of  drilliug-,  aud  acquiriug-  a  ki)owledg-e  of 
military  science.  At  last,  after  waiting  in  suspense  for  a  inontli, 
orders  came  to  Captain  Matthews  to  report  his  company  at  Corinth, 
Mississippi,  the  place  chosen  for  the  rendezvous  of  Mississippi 
troops.  Everytliing  was  made  ready  as  early  as  possible;  and  on 
the  26th  of  May,  1861,  the  company  met  at  Magnolia  station,  on 
the  New  Orleans,  Jackson  and  Great  Northern  railroad,  for  the 
purpose  of  embarking  on  the  cars.  Here  we  can  but  pause  for  a 
moment,  though  some  may  deem  it  unnecessary,  to  give  a  brief 
account  of  the  scenes  exhibited  at  Magnolia. 

The  friends  and  relatives  of  the  company  assembled  tliere  to  bid 
them  a  long  adieu.  All  ages  and  sexes  were  gathered  together, 
and  among  them  stood  the  volunteers.  All  was  excitement.  There 
was  the  venerable  man,  the  aged  and  indulgent  father,  with  -wrin- 
kled and  careworn  brow,  whose  honored  locks  dangling  around  his 
stooped  shoulders,  plainly  told  that  his  stay  on  earth  would  be 
brief;  that  that  might  be  his  last  parting  with  his  boy,  whom  he 
had  reared  with  so  much  solicitude  and  cave.  There  was  the  aged 
mother,  whose  earnest  solicitude  had  always  been  for  her  boy  from 
his  earliest  infancy,  and  whose  most  profound  feelings  of  anxiety 
beamed  brighter  than  ever — a  lovely  similitude  to  angels,  we  ima- 
gine, which  mothers  so  often  exhibit  towards  their  children,  and 
which  is  enough  to  stay  the  most  reckless  consgience,  aiid  humble 
the  proudest  heart.  There  were  the  sisters ;  and  you  who  have 
them  know  too  well  how  fondly  ti:ey  cling  to  their  brothers. 
Even  the  little  children  seemed  to  feel  the  importance  of  the 
occasion,  and  were  frequently  heard  to  ask  :  "  Mother,  where 
is  brother  going  ?"  which  was  responded  to  only  with  a  tear  from 
the  mother's  eyes.  Then  there  were  the  lovers,  with  hope.s  deferred 
but  promises  renewed,  all  mingling  in  sorrow.  The  reckless 
heart  could  but  be  humbled  tliere.  Tears  ilowod  from  e3'es  that 
were  seldom  known  to  weep  before;  and  upon  the  whole,  there 
was  a  solemn  grandeur  aud  sublimity  imparted  to  the  scene  which 
cannot  be  conceived  except  by  those  who  have  experienced  the 
anguish  of  heart   when    bidding   adieu,  perhaps  foi-ever,   to  those 


uiubl  loved.  Tiio  cai'is  were  boarded,  auil  the  powerful  iocomoiive, 
unconscious  of  the  preciousness  of  its  freight,  with  rapid  strokes 
bore  them  swiftly  from  their  homes. 

The  company  arrived  at  Corinth,  a  small  town  in  T county, 

situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Aiemphis  and  Charleston  and  Mobile 
and  Ohio  railroads,  on  the  2Tth  of  May,  pitched  their  tents  in  reg- 
ular military  order,  and  were  soon  after  mustei-ed  into  the  service  of 
the  Confederate  States,  and  were,  with  nine  other  companies,  formed 
into  a  regiment,  whose  names  we  will  mention,  with  some  of  their 
oflicers,  (as  near  as  we  can  remember,)  because  their  destiny  was 
alike  with  ours,  and  their  unhappy  fate  the  same.  They  were  as 
follows  :  Summit  Rifles,  Company  "A,"  Captain  Murphy,  from  Pike 
county;  Weslville  Guards,  Company  "B,"  Captain  Funches,  from 
Simpson  count}-;  Chrystal  Springs  Southern  Rights,  Company  "C," 
Captain  Davis,  from  Copiah  county;  Adams  Light  Guards,  Com- 
pany "  D,'"  Captain  Clark,  from  Natchez,  Mississippi;  Quitman 
Guards,  Company  "  E,"'  Captain  Matthews,  from  Pike  county;  Jas- 
per Grays,  Company  "  F,"  Captain  Shannon,  from  Jasper  county; 
Fair  View  Rifles,  Company  ''  G,"  Captain  Moore,  from  Claiborne 
county;  Smith  Defenders,  Corapan}'  "  H,"  Captain  Hardy,  from 
Smith  county;  Adams  Light  Guards,  Company  ''I,"  Captain  Wal- 
worth, from  Natchez,  Mississippi;  Wilkinson  Rifles,  Company  "  K," 
Captain  Posey,  from  AVilkinsoa  county.  Captain  Carnot  Posey, 
of  the  Wilkinson  Rifles,  was  elected  Colonel  of  the  regiment,  and 
A.  M.  Feltus  was  elected  captain  in  his  stead.  Captain  Robert 
Clarke,  of  Company  "  D,"  Adams  Light  Guards,  was  elected  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, and  Samuel  E.  Baker  -was  elected  captain  in  his 
stead.  Lieutenant  Thomas  R.  Stockdale,  of  tbv:  Quitman  Guards, 
was  elected  Major  of  the  regiment,  and  the  vacancy  in  the  company 
was  lilled  by  tlio  election  of  S.  M.  Bain  to  the  office  of  second  lieu- 
tenant, and  R.  J.  R.  Bee  to  the  office  of  third  lieutenant.  This 
regiment  being  formed,  the  officers  commenced  the  regular  duties 
of  camp — company  and  regimental  drill,  guard  duty,  fatigue,  Sec. 
It  will  be  necessary  in  future  to  make  mention  of  the  different 
brigades,  divisions  and  corps  to  which  this  regiment  was  attached 


during'  the  war,  as  it  would  be  difficult  to  give  aL.ycliiiig  like  a 
correct  historical  account  of  the  adventures  of  the  Quitraan  Guards 
without  it.  Unhappily  for  them,  soon  after  their  arrival  at 
Corinth  diseases  got  among  them,  which  prostrated  a  large  num- 
ber on  the  bed  of  sickness.  The  measles  seemed  to  be  as  fatal  as 
other  diseases,  and  sickuQ^  spread  so  rapidly  that  it  became 
necessary  to  separate  the  company  from  the  regiment,  there  being 
scarcely  a  sufficient  number  of  well  men  to  give  tho  necessary 
attention  to  the  sick. 

The  following  named  comrades  died  at  Corinth:  Benjamin  Lewis, 
F.  P.  Johnson,  Pearl  Harvey,  Thomas  Hamilton  and  Lewis  Coney. 
They  died  with  their  armor  brightly  burnished  for  the  iight,  regret- 
ting that  they  must  yield  to  fell  disease  the  life  they  would  fain 
sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  their  country.  They  exchanged  the 
clangor  of  arms  and  the  booming  of  cannon  for  the  symphonies 
wafted  from  angelic  harps;  scenes  of  carnage  for  the  Elysian  fields 
of  the  land  of  angels.'  Crowned  and  resturcd  with  heaven's  glory, 
they  wall  live  in  eternal  sinless  youth,  in  that  bright  sphere  where 
war  is  unknown.  Do  the  inhabitafits  of  that  bright  land  look  dow' n 
upon  the  transactions  of  life  ?  If  so,  then  will  al!  our  comrades 
in  heaven  see  that  the  tear  of  memory  wells  up  as  we  speak  their 
names,  and  trickles  down  our  check;;;  when  we  tell  how  we  loved 
them.  .  No  stone  marks  their  resting  places,  but  their  memory  will 
live  engraven  on  the  heart.'?  of  all  who  knew  them,  until  they 
cease  to  palpitate.  Rest,  dear  departed  comrade^-,  resti  the  final 
trump  will  ere  long  be  sounded,  and  may  Cod  grant  tliat  we  may 
be  united,  never,  never,  never  to  part  again. 

The  company  remained  at  Corinth  two  months  Lacking  two  days.- 
During  this  time  they  were  constantly  receiving  news  of  battles 
being  fought  in  different  portions  of  the  South,  w^here  the  Federal 
forces  would  invade  and  attack  tiie  Confederates,  and  were  suc- 
cessfully repulsed  and  driven  from  the  field  Such  news  inspired 
them  with  greater  courage  and  brighter  hopes,  and  they  began  to 
get  restless,  which  was  na,tura],  upon  reading-  the  news  of  the 
splendid  victories  in  which  their  fellow  soldiers  participated,  and 


which  were  portrayed  to  them  iu  «uch  g^lowiug,  such  patriotic  and 
exciting  words.  The  common  talk  of  camp  was  in  regard  1o  receiv- 
ing orders  to  go  to  Manassas,  the  seat  of  war,  where  the  memo- 
rable battle  of  the  21st  of  July,  1861,  had  been  fought,  and  where 
the  Federal  forces  were  so  severely  defeated,  "On  to  Virginia" 
was  the  watchword;  that  would  be  the  battle  ground;  there  was 
where  all  the  fighting  was  going  on,  and  the  fear  among  the  men 
was  that  the  war  would  be  over  before  their  term  of  enlistment 
expired,  and  tliey  would  not  get  to  fight  a  battle.  On  the  22d  of 
July,  after  the  men  had  cooked  and  eaten  their  supper,  and  began 
to  engage  in  their  usual  pastime  of  passing  away  the  evening, 
some  dancing,  some  singing,  and  some  smoking  and  talking,  the 
news  came  along  the  electric  wires  of  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and 
its  results.  In  a  short  time  the  news  v/as  spread  through  the 
camps,  and  was  received  with  vociferous  shouts  fi'om  the  five 
thousand  Mississippians  camped  around  Corinth,  who  were  burning 
so  eagerly  to  engage  in  some  of  those  combats,  and  reap  some  of 
the  rewards  of  those  splendid  victories,  of  which  they  had  heard 
so  much  said.  On  the  24th  day  of  July,  Colonel  Posey  received 
orders  to  repair  with  his  regiment  to  Virginia.  The  men  were 
ordered  to  prepare  five  days'  rations,  and  to  make  other  necessary 
preparations  for  the  journey.  Early  in  tiie  morning  of  the  25th, 
the  tents  were  struck,  the^  baggage  packed  and  hauled  to  the 
depot,  and  the  men  got  aboard  of  the  train.  Previous  to  receiving 
orders,  Captain  Matthews  was  granted  a  furlough  to  return  to 
Holmesville  to  visit  his  family,  arrange  his  business,  and  make 
such  arrangements  for  the  Quitman  Guards  as  were  necessary  for 
their  comfort  and  welfare,  and  Lieutenant  (Dr.)  Nelson  assumed 
command  of  the  company.  The  train  left  Corinth  about  one  o'clock 
on  the  25th  of  July,  1861,  with  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment 
on  board,  bound  for  Virginia. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Tlae    .Jovirney    to    Virginia. 

Crowded  in  box  cars,  with  hard  plauk  seats,  and  but  little  air — 
such  as  was  whirled  in  by  the  vapid  motion  of  the  cars — would 
lead  one  to  suppose  that  there  could  be  but  little  enjo'^meut  in 
such  a  long  journey.  But  relieved  from  the  monotony  of  camp 
life,  and  the  rigid  discipline  incident  to  it,  wirh  the  prospects  of 
activity  in  the  future,  and  beholding  the  beautiful  scenery  along 
the  route  from  Corinth  to  Virginia,  the  men  were  all  cheerful  and 
seemingly  contented.  Yet  amid  the  gaiety  that  seemed  every 
where  to  prevail,  thoughts  of  home  and  the  dear  ones  there,  would 
rush  almost  unbidden  upon  tiie  mind  of  the  soldier;  but  sadness 
was  replaced  by  the  firm  resolve  to  die,  if  necessary,  in  defending 
home,  relatives,  country  and  friends.  Wit  and  humor  seemed  to  be 
very  prevalent  among  some  of  the  members  of  the  Quitman  Guards, 
and  in  spite  of  the  noise  and  jolting  of  the  cars,  the  oppressive 
heat,  and  the  almost  stifling,  dusty  air,  mirth  and  good  humor 
would  abound.  Along  the  roadside  where  there  were  dweiling.5, 
and  at  the  stopping  places,  the  ladies  were  gathered  together, 
robed  in  the  fashions  of  the  day,  with  bouquets  of  flowers  and  ever- 
greens, displaying  all  their  natural  elegance,  and  exhibiting  all 
their  powers  of  attraction.  This  was  enough  to  cause  the  past  to 
be  buried  in  oblivion,  to  give  new  courage  to  the  soldier,  and 
inspire  him  with  bright  hopes  of  the  future.  The  wild  forest,  the 
rippling  streams,  the  beautiful  and  well  cultivated  farms,  the  ripen- 
ing grain,  the  fine  i^esidences,  the  beautiful  flower  yards  with  their 
delightful  fragrance,  all  lent  their  aid  towird  entertaining  the 
travelers  in  their  long,  wearisome  journey  to  Virginia.  Emerging 
from  the  pine  hills  of  Mississippi  and  Alabama,  and  entering  the 
Cumberland  mountains  of  Tennessee — to  those  who  had  never 
seen  a  mountain  the  scenery  was  truly  sublime.  Towering  peaks 
in  their  stately  grandeur,  overhanging  rocks  and  stooping  trees, 
deep  gorges  and  sparkling  waterfalls,  with  the  works  of  art  wind- 


8 

ing  round  the  steep  mountain  sides,  the  dashing  car  with  its  lighl_ 
ning  speed,  bidding  defiance  to  nature's  work,  filled  the  mind 
with  wonder  and  veneration.  The  opportunity  afforded  by  the 
stopping  of  the  cars  was  eagerly  embraced  by  the  men  to  slake 
their  thirst  at  the  crystal  fountains  that  ever  gush  in  limpid  cool- 
ness from  the  mountaiu  side,  or  in  gathering  wild  flowers,  the 
favorites  of  lier  who  was  the  subject  of  their  day  and  night  dreamn. 
And  often,  when  the  time  afforded  was  sufficient  to  permit  it,  they 
were  invited  to  the  residence  of  some  generous  citizen,  to  partake- 
of  such  repast  as  did  not  oi'ten'fall  to  the  soldier's  lot. 

The  regiment  arrived  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  on  the  27th  of 
July,  and  took  the  train  for  Knoxville.  Much  had  been  said 
of  the  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  East  Tennessee 
to  troops  passing  through  that  portion  of  the  State,  and  on  this 
account  much  difficulty,  if  not  fighting,  was  anticipated  by  the 
regiment  in  their  passage  through;  but  the  conduct  of  the  officers, 
in  enforcing  and  preserving  strict  discipline,  earned  for  themselves 
and  their  command  the  kindness  and  civility  of  the  citizens,  though 
diametrically  opposite  political  sentiments  agitated  them.  The 
regiment  arrived  at  Cleveland,  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  of 
the  28th  instant,  at  which  place  it  was  delayed  for  .several  hours. 
Many  citizens  gathered  around  the  cars,  cheering  the  soldiers  and 
calling  on  the  officers  for  speeches.  Captain  Hardy,  of  the  Smith 
Defenders,  responded,  and  delivered  a  touching  address  to  the 
assembly;  alter  which  a  voice  was  heard  calling  the  name  of  Major 
Stockdale,  and  immediately  the  name  of  the  gallant  Major  was 
shouted  by  a  thousand  tongues.  He  arose  from  his  position,  on 
the  top  of  the  cars,  in  that  inimitable  manner  which  is  so  charac- 
teristic of  him,  and  looking  around  at  the  vast  concourse  of  men 
and  women,  and  not  forgetting  his  comrades,  said:  "  Fellow-citi- 
zens of  East  Tennessee,  and  you,  too,  my  fellow  soldiers.  War  is 
upon  us — its  dread  tocsin  has  been  sounded  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  North  American  continent.  In  the  wilds  of 
Mississippi  it  has  reverberated,  it  has  re-echoed  from  hill  to  hill; 
nor  has  it  sounded  in  vain — like  knights  of  liberty  the  sons  of  Mis- 


9 

sissippi  have  rushed  from  their  comfortable  homes  to  see  what 
that  alarm  meant.  'Twas  war's  dread  alarm.  They  believed  their 
rights  and  their  liberties  would  be  invaded,  and  they  have  defi- 
antly buckled  on  the  sword;  and  there  is  not  a  heart  throbbing  in 
the  breast  of  one  of  its  hardy  sons,  but  that  is  resolved  to  do  or 
die.  You  see  before  you,  fellow-citizens,  specimens  of  these  deter- 
mined men."  He  enumerated  in  a  brief  and  eloquent  manner  some 
of  the  causes  which  induced  the  two  sections  to  take  up  arms 
against  each  other,  and  portrayed  the  horrors  that  always  follow  a 
civil  war.  During  his  speech  the  utmost  stillness  was  preserved, 
and  at  its  close  a  deafening  applause,  which  made  the  welkin  ring, 
proceeded  from  the  assembled  multitude.  Arriving  at  Knoxville, 
a  large  number  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  who  were 
taken  sick  on  the  way,  were  left  in  a  hospital,  prepared  for  them, 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  A.  "9.  Sparkman,  of  the  Quitman  Gu'ards,  all 
of  whom  speak  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  treatment  they  received 
while  there.  After  remaining  a  day  or  two  at  Knoxville,  for  the 
purpose  of  preparing  rations,  the  regiment  took  the  trahi  for  Bris- 
tol, a  town  situated  on  the  dividing  line  of  Virginia  and  Tennes- 
see. The  delay  consequent  upon  the  change  of  cars,  and  the 
removal  of  baggage,  prevented  them  from  leaving  Bristol  until  late 
in  the  evening,  and  other  delays  between  Bristol  and  Lynchburg", 
prolonged  their  arrival  at  the  latter  place  until  the  second  of 
August.  Previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  regiment.  Col.  Posey  had 
received  orders  to  move  to  Stanton,  in  Western  Virginia,  but 
knowing  the  rigor  of  the  winter  there,  and  fearing  disastrous 
effects  on  account  of  the  unacclimated  state  of  his  troops,  he  imme- 
diately proceeded  to  Richmond,  where  he  obtained  leave  to  march 
his  troops  to  Manassas.  The  regiment  remained  at  Lj'nchburg 
eight  days,  during  which  time  the  Quitman  Guards  met  with  many 
friends,  who  were  wounded  in  the  battles  of  Bull  Run  and  Manas- 
sas. Among  them  was  Wm.  J.  Lamkin,  son  of  the  Hon.  John  T. 
Lamkin,  of  Holmesville,  then  attached  to  the  Eleventh  Mississippi 
regiment,  but  who   afterwards  became  a  member  of  the  Quitman 


10 

Giiaids.  "Wliile  ibe  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiaient  wasin  oamp 
at  Ljnchbarg',  ai  incident  bappened  in  connection  with  it  which 
may  probably  admit  of  record.  A  brigade  from  Louisiana,  called 
the  Polish  brig'ade,  which  was  composed  principally  of  foreigners, 
who  seemed  to  disregard  military  discipline,  arrived;  a  large  num- 
ber of  whom  left  their  commands  and  scattered  through  the  city. 
Their  acts  of  disorder  and  violence  rendered  it  unsafe  for  the  citi- 
zens to  venture  upon  the  streets.  The  officers  of  the  brigade  did 
everything  in  their  power  to  restore  order,  but  without  success.  It 
was  finally  determined  to  ask  the  assistance  of  the  Sixteenth  Mis- 
sissippi regiment,  which  being  immediately  granted,  the  prudence 
and  activity  of  the  officers  quelled  the  riot  and  restored  order  with- 
out any  injury  except  the  wounding  of  a  few  soldiers  of  the  brig- 
ade. It  is  but  just  to  remark  that  the  men  composing  the  above 
brigade  were,  in  every  sense  of  the  wprd,  fighting  men,  as  they 
afterwards  proved  themselves  to  be  on  many  occasions.  While  at 
Lynchburg,  Capt.  Matthews  arrived  from  home  with  fifteen  or 
twenty  recruits  for  the  Quitman  Guards,  whose  names  can  be 
found  in  the  statistics  of  the  company,  which  swelled  its  ranks 
and  supplied  the  places  of  many  who  had  died  or  were  left  behind 
in  hospitals.  On  the  ninth  of  August  the  regiment  left  Lynch- 
burg for  Manassas,  where  they  arrived  on  the  morning  of  the 
tenth. 


'  CHAPTER  III. 

Drilling    and    Picket    Duty. 

The  regiment  remained  in  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  Manassas  and 
Centerville  for  a  month  or  two,  most  of  which  time  quiet  prevailed. 
The  daily  drills  were  kept  up  morning  and  evening,  company  drill 
in  the  morning  and  battalion  drill  in  the  evening.  A  regular 
guard  was  also  placed  around  the  regiment,  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
venting infringements,  as  well  as  to  protect  the  property  belong- 
ing to  it.     About  the  latter  part  of  August,    1861,   while  the  regi- 


11 

ment  was  encamped  near  the  Manassas  battle  grounds,  it  was  put 
in  a  brigade,  ccmposed  of  the  Fifteenth  Alabama,  Twenty-First 
Georgia,  and  the  Twenty-First  North  Carolina  regiments,  and, 
placed  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  George  B.  Critten- 
den, of  Kentucky.  Sickness  prevailed  among  the  troops.  When 
the  usual  call  was  made  by  the  drummer,  one  hundred  and  fiftj' 
men  have  been  known  to  be  ordered  to  the  siu'geons  for  treatment 
from  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  and  at  one  time  nearly  all 
of  the  Twenty-First  Regiment  were  on  the  sick  list.  The  officers 
of  that  regiment  could  scarcely  get  a  sufficient  number  of  well 
men  to  guard  their  camps.  Unfortunately  for  this  regiment,  the 
measles  had  spread  through  it,  and  being  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run 
and  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  those  who  were 
recovering  from  this  disease  relapsed,  which  was  fatal  to  a  large 
number,  and  of  course  rendered  the  disease  more  dangerous  to 
those  who  were  about  taking  it;  in  consequence  of  which  the  mor- 
tality was  very  great  indeed.  The  most  of  the  sick  of  the  Six- 
teenth Mississippi  regiment,  and,  if  we  are  not  mistaken,  of  the 
other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  were  sent  to  Warrenton,  a  small 
town  about  twenty  miles  west  of  Manassas,  where  they  were 
placed  under  the  care  of  kind  and  attentive  physicians.  There  the 
Virginia  ladies,  like  ministering  angels,  liovered  around  the  couch 
of  the  sick,  war-worn  soldier,  speaking  words  of  comfort  and  hope, 
cooling  the  burning  forehead,  moistening  the  fevered  lips,  and  pre- 
paring for  them  those  delicacies  so  palatable  to  the  sick,  and 
•which  woman  alone  koows  how  to  prepare.  There  the  young 
man,  separated  from  home,  kindred  and  friends,  by  a  distance  of 
more  than  a  thousand  miles,  found  a  roothei',  a  sister,  a  friend;  and 
though  absent  from  her  who  first  taught  his  infant  lips  to  lisp,  and 
upon  whose  bosom  he  would  fain  pillow  his  dying  head,  yet  here 
among  strangers  were  those  who  would  wipe  the  tear  from  his 
burning  cheek  and  whisper  words  of  comfort  and  hope.  Women — 
noble  women  of  Virginia,  will  ever  live  evergreen  in  the  heart  of 
Mississippi  soldiers  1 


12 

Gen.  Crittenden  issued  orders  to  the  colonels  of  the  regiments 
to  change  their  camps  about  every  ten  days,  on  account  of  the 
health  of  the  troops,  but  when  the  stream  of  disease  flows  among 
such  a  large  body  of  men,  who,  save  Omnipotence,  can  stay  its 
tide  ?  The  troops  suffered  much  from  sickness,  camp  life,  and 
sudden  change  of  climate.  Their  condition  was  rendered  worse, 
if  possible,  from  the  fact  that  they  had  not  been  paid  off  up  to 
that  time;  and  having  exhausted  their  private  funds  they  were, 
consequently,  unable  to  procure  such  articles  as  were  necessary 
to  their  health  and  comfort. 

The  Army  of  Virginia  was  then  under  the  command  of  General 
Joseph  E.  Johnston.  It  was  stationed  at,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Manassas.  The  outpost  (that  portion  that  immediately  confronted 
the  "Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  under  the  command  of  General 
George  B.  McClellan,)  were  at  Ancotank  creek,  a  small  stream 
emptying  into  the  Potomac  in  Fairfax  county,  and  about  ten  or 
twelve  miles  from  Alexandria,  at  which  place  the  Federal  army 
was  stationed.  Some  time  in  October,  the  6th  Mississippi  regi- 
ment was  ordered  on  picket  dut3\  Col.  Pose}'^,  who  was  in  com- 
mand, immediately  proceeded  to  execute  the  order,  having  to  pass 
through  Fairfax  Courthouse,  which  was  the  headquarters  of  Gen- 
eral Johnston.  The  regiment  at  that  time  was  tolerably  full, 
numbering  about  eight  hundred  men  for  duty,  and  attracted  con- 
siderable attention  from  General  Johnston,  who  remarked  that 
they  were  the  finest  looking  men  he  had  seen.  Upon  asking 
whose  regiment  it  was,  he  was  told  that  it  was  the  Sixteenth  Mis- 
sissippi, under  command  of  Colonel  Posey.  He  complimented 
Colonel  Posey  for  having  the  honor  of  commanding  such  a  regi- 
ment, and  remarked  to  him  that  every  ofiBcer  commanding  such  a 
regiment  should  have  an  oil  cloth  coat,  and  presented  hini  a  very 
fine  one.  General  Johnston  was  heard  to  remark  that  if  those 
Mississippians  were  going  on  picket,  they  would  stir  up  a  fuss 
before  they  were  there  five  days.  His  words  proved  prophetic,  for 
on  the  fifth  day  two  companies  were  sent  out  under  the  command 
of  Major  Thomas  R.  Stockdale,  to  reconnoitre  and  learn  if  possible 


13 

the  position  of  the  Federals.  Major  Stockdale  found  the  enemy, 
and,  of  course,  as  is  characteristic  of  him,  exchanged  a  few  shots 
with  them.  This  created  a  considerable  degree  of  excitement,  and 
that  night  continuous  firing  was  kept  up  all  along  the  picket  line. 
The  impression  was,  that  the  Federals  were  advancing.  Couriers 
•  were  flying  over  the  country,  artillery  began  to  move  to  the  front, 
troops  were  put  in  motion,  and  everything  indicated  an  approach- 
ing battle.  The  next  morning  the  Sixteenth  regiment  was  relieved 
from  picket  duty,  it  having  served  its  number  of  days,  and  returned 
to  camp.  On  their  way  they  met  some  troops  that  had  started  to 
the  front,  who  frequently  remarked,  in  reference  to  the  excitement 
we  had  created  among  the  Federals,  "just  as  we  expected  of  these 
Mississippians  ;"  but  they  did  not  know  that  the  Sixteenth  Missis- 
sippi regiment  rather  coiirted  a  general  engagement.  The  news 
of  the  advance  of  the  Federals  caused  the  ai'my  to  change  its  posi 
tipn.  The  main  body,  which  was  at  that  time  beyond  Centreville, 
immediately  fell  back  five  miles.  The  brigade  remained  here  until 
the  20th  of  December,  In  the  meantime  General  Crittenden  was 
transferred  from  the  Virginia  army,  and  Brigadier-General  Isaac 
R.  Trimble  was  placed  in  command  of  the  brigade.  General  Trim 
ble  selected  a  spot  near  Manassas  junction,  to  which  place  he 
repaired,  and  began  the  construction  of  log  cabins  for  winter 
quarters.  On  account  of  the  severity  of  the  weather,  the  troops 
made  slow  progress  in  the  erection  of  these  rude  but  compara- 
tively comfortable  buildings.  After  six  weeks  of  suffering  and 
hard  manual  labor,  they  M^ere  finished.  The  whole  work  might 
have  been  accomplished  in  a  few  days;  but  teams  were  scarce, 
the  horses  were  poor  and  broken  down,  and  the  almost  constant 
rains  and  snows  kept  the  ro  ids  in  such  a  wretched  condition  that 
the  only  wonder  is  that  they  were  completed  in  six  weeks.  The 
quarters  were  built  near  the  railroad.  General  Trimble  caused  a 
large  platform  to  be  built  for  the  purpose  of  unloading  provisions 
for  the  brigade.  Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  winter,  the 
troops  fared  remarkably  well  while  here.  Provisions  were  plentiful, 
but  there  was  not  quite  a  sufficiency  of  clothing  to  supply  the  demand. 


14 

But  being  in  comfortable  cabiis  the  troops  did  not  suffer  as  much 
as  if  more  exposed.  Those  who  were  lacking  in  any  article  ne- 
cessary for  their  comfort,  were  not  required  to  do  any  duty  that 
would  expose  them  to  the  severity  of  the  weather.  Captain  Mat- 
thews deserves,  and  no  doubt  receives,  the  tlianks  of  his  company 
for  his  kindness  to,  and  almost  parental  care  of,  his  men.  During 
the  extreme  severity  of  the  weather,  nothing  more  was  required  in 
camp  but  police  guard  duty.  Sickness  still  prevailed  in  the  regi- 
ment. The  Quitman  Guards  suffered  severely.  Jesse  W.  B. 
Lewis  and  James  Pendarvis  sickened  and  died  before  they  could 
possibly  be  moved  to  a  hospital.  J.  D.  Foil  died  in  a  few  days 
after  going  to  the  hospital.  Their  loss  was  felt  to  be  irreparable 
by  the  company,  and  it  was  said  and  felt  by  all  that  they  were 
specimens  of  Mississippi's  noblest  sons.  As  soldiers  they  were 
brave;  as  comrades  they  were  kind  and  trustworthj'^ ;  and  as  mess- 
mates they  were  ever  ready  to  share  their  last  meal.  Their  death 
cast  a  gloom  over  the  whole  company.  Many  who  were  after- 
wards taken  sick  became  despondent  at  the  many  deaths  from  the 
same  disease,  arid  seemed  to  be  convinced  that  they  would  die. 
Despondency  caused  the  disease  in  many  cases  to  assume  a  more 
dangerous  type,  as  it  is  thought  the  state  of  the  mind  often  has 
much  to  do  with  the  patient's  recovery.  Time  dragged  slowly  on. 
The  rigor  of  the  winter  rendered  it  almost  impossible  to  engage  in 
out-door  exercise  or  amusements.  Books  were  hard  to  get;  but 
when  one  made  its  Avay  into  camp  it  was  read  by  nearly  all.  The 
men  looked  forward  with  hope  to  the  expiration  of  their  term  of 
enlistment,  as  they  had  enlisted  for  only  twelve  months.  They 
remained  at  Manassas  until  the  8th  of  March,  1862. 


15 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Evacuation  of  IVIanassas,  and  tlie  beg,  -aiaiiig  of  .A.ctive  Cam- 
paigns. 

A  large  Federal  force  was  concentrated  at  Alexandria — another 
threatened  Eichmond;  and  as  Manassas  was  considered  untenable, 
in  order  to  shorten  the  line  of  defense  and  increase  the  facilities 
for  sending  reinforcements  to  the  different  places  of  military  ope- 
rations, GeneralJohnston  deemed  it  necessary  to  evacuate  it;  and 
so  secretly  was  this  accomplished,  that  men  were  kept  fortifying 
in  its  vicinity  until  the  last  siege  gun  was  removed.  The  troops 
were  not  aware  of  the  intention  to  evacuate  until  the  army  was  in 
motion.  The  army  commenced  its  retrograde  movement  late  in  the 
evening  of  the  8th  of  March,  and  fell  back  to  the  south  bank  of  the 
Rappahannock  river,  about  thirty  miles  south  of  Manassas  Junc- 
tion. The  Federal  army  did*  not  immediately  follow  up  the  retreat 
of  Johnston,  but  seemingly  suspicious  of  his  movements,  they 
approached  Centreville  very  slowly  and  cautiously,  which  gave 
Johnston  time  to  tear  up  the  railroad  track  from  Manassas  to  the 
Rappahannock  river.  Infantry  pickets  were  posted  on  the  south 
banks  of  the  river,  and  several  regiments  were  sent  to  the  front 
for  the  pui'pose  of  tearing  up  the  railroad.  Among  them  was  the 
Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment.  Nothing  of  interest  transpiring, 
and  having  finished  their  mission,  they  returned  to  camp,  where 
quiet  reigned  for  several  days. 

As  soon  as  the  Federal  forces  discovered  that  Manassas  was 
really  evacuated,  and  that  General  Johnston  was  gone,  whither 
they  knew  not,  they  moved  forward  and  came  up  with  him  at  the 
Rappahannock,  where  he  was  prepared  to  give  them  a  warm  recep- 
tion. The  Federals  posted  their  artillery  on  a  fortified  hill,  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  river,  and  immediately  commenced  to  shell  the 
Confederate  cavalry  which  had  crossed  in  their  front,  as  well  as 
thfe  infantry  that  were  posted  in  a  skirt  of  woods  some  distance  to 
the  rear  of  the  cavalry  skirmishers.     This  was  about  the  20th  of 


IG 

March,  1862,  and  though  the  first  cannonading  the  Quitman  Guards 
had  experienced,  3'et  they  seemed  perfectly  composed,  and  appa- 
rently heedless  of  the  whizzing  of  the  shells  and  solid  shots,  as 
they  passed  over  their  heads. 

Skirmishing  continued  until  dark,  and  the  troops  slept  with 
their  arras  in  their  hands  during  tiie  night.  As  the  Federal  forces 
were  making  demonstrations  in  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg; 
where  General  Whiting's  division,  (which  had  been  stationed  at 
Dumfries,  on  the  Potomac,)  was  crossing.  General  Johnston 
thought  it  necessary  to  mo  ve  his  army  down  the  river  to  the  right. 
The  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment  was  stationed  at  Kelly's  Ford, 
and  other  regiments  of  the  brigade  were  stationed  at  different 
fords  on  the  river.  We  should  here  mention  that  General  Trim- 
ble's brigade  was  a  part  of  General  Ewell's  division.  The  regi- 
ment remained  at  Kelly's  Ford  until  about  the  1st  of  April,  and 
while  there  company  F  received  sixty  or  seventy  recruits.  Sev- 
eral other  companies  also  received  recruits.  The  conscription  act, 
approved  February  17th,  1862,  provided  that  all  troops  then  in  the 
service  of  the  Confederate  States,  between  certain  ages,  should 
remain  in  the  service  two  years  longer,  and  promised  a  furlough 
of  sixty  days  before  the  expiration  of  that  time.  This  act  was 
published  to  the  troops  while  at  Kelly's  Ford,  and  conflicted  with 
the  general  expectations,  though  an  opportunity  had  previously 
been  offered  them  for  furloughs,  which  was  taken  advantage  of 
by  as  many  as  could  be  at  that  time  spared  from  the  array.  Those 
who  could  not  immediately  obtain  furloughs,  consoled  themselves 
that  it  was  best  for  the  cause,  and  consequently  their  duty  to  re- 
main satisfied.  The  Federal  forces  were  daily  increasing  in 
strength,  the  capital  was  threatened,  and  they  were  gaining 
ground  at  almost  every  invading  point.  The  volunteers  saw 
what  would  be  the  result  in  case  they  were  disbanded,  and  though 
they  anxiously  desired  to  return  home  for  a  season,  yet  they  agreed 
upon  the  terms  of  the  conscription  Avith  almost  total  unanimity. 
The  Federal  commander  next  chose  the  Peninsular  for  the  field  of 
military  operation,  and  thinking  the  fall  of  Richmond  would  com- 


17 

plete  the  downfall  of  the  Confederacy,  he  concentrated  a  large 
force  on  the  peninsula  for  the  purpose  of  investing  Richmond,  or,  if 
possible,  to  wrest  it  from  the  hands  of  the  few  Confederate  forces 
before  Johnston  could  move  his  army  from  Fredericksburg.  But 
Johnston,  anticipating  the  designs  of  the  Federal  General,  was 
there  ready  to  meet  him  as  soon  as  his  forces  were  landed  on  the 
peninsula.  General  Ewell's  division  was  left  on  the  Rappahan- 
nock. In  the  meantime,  a  Federal  force  of  about  twenty  thousand 
men,  under  the  command  of  General  N.  P.  Banks,  bad  penetrated 
the  Shenandoah  valley  as  far  as  Strasburg  and  Front  Royal,  hold- 
ing the  city  of  Winchester.  A  small  Confederate  force,  under  the 
command  of  General  T.  J.  Jackson,  was  all  there  were  to  oppose 
the  progress  of  the  Federal  troops.  A  movement  on  Richmond 
from  that  quarter  was  looked  upon  as  a  very  serious  matter,  and 
in  order  to  check  the  enemy  in  this  movement.  General  Jackson 
must  be  reinforced.  For  this  purpose  General  Ewell  was  ordered 
to  join  him  in  the  Shenandoah  valley.  The  regiments  being  sta- 
tioned at  different  points,  General  Ewell  ordered  them  to  concen- 
trate at  Gordonsville,  from  which  place  he  took  up  his  line  of  march 
for  the  valley.  The  expiration  of  the  twelve  months,  for  which 
period  the  troops  had  volunteered,  being  near  at  hand,  orders  were 
issued  for  their  re-organization,  and  for  that  purpose  the  division 
was  halted  about  five  miles  west  of  Gordonsville.  Seneca  McNeil 
Bain  was  elected  captain  of  the  Quitman  Guards,  Colden  Wilson, 
first  lieutenant,  John  Holmes,  second  lieutenant,  and  Van  C.  Coney, 
junior  second  lieutenant.  Colonel  Posey  was  re-elected  colonel  of 
the  regiment,  Captain  J.  J.  Shannon  of  Company  F,  Jasper  Grays, 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  Captain  Samuel  E.  Baker  of  Company  D, 
Adams  Light  Guards,  was  elected  major.  Many  of  the  original 
officers  returned  to  Mississippi,  and  entered  different  branches  of 
the  service. 

After  the  re-organization  of  the  regiments,  the  division  moved 
lip  to  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge  mountain,  n<  ar  Stanardsviile,  and 
after  remaining  in  camp  for  several  days  moved  to  the  west  side 

of  the  mountain.     While  encamped  here,  news  was  received  from 
3 


IS 

General  Jackson  of  the  battle  of  McDowell,  fought  by  the  troops 
under  his  command,  and  where  he  gained  a  signal  victory  over  the 
Federal  forces.  Gaining  a  victory,  and  having  General  Ewell's 
division  in  supporting  distance,  he  immediately  began  to  make 
preparations  for  an  advance  down  the  Shenandoah  valley,  for  the 
purpose  of  driving  out  General  Banks.  General  Ewell's  divi- 
sion was  moved  down  to  Columbia  bridge,  and  camped  in  what  is 
called  the  Hawk's  Bill  valley,  which  is  situated  between  the  main 
ridge  and  a  range  of  mountains  lying  between  the  two  prongs  of 
the  Shenandoah  river,  to  await  the  arrival  of  General  Jackson's 
division.  On  account  of  the  richness  of  this  valley,  the  troops  gave 
it  the  name  of  the  land  of  milk  and  honey.  Grain,  pasture,  stock 
and  fruit  were  abundant. 

General  Jackson  formed  a  junction  with  General  Ewell  about 
the  21st  of  May,  1862,  and  immediately  began  to  move  down  the 
valley.  Two  days  march  brought  the  army  within  twelve  or  fif- 
teen miles  of  Front  Royal,  where  two  Federal  regiments  and  one 
battery  of  four  guns  were  stationed.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the 
24th  of  May  the  army  was  put  in  motion,  and  made  a  rapid  march 
to  Front  Royal.  General  Jackson  sent  a  party  of  men  forward, 
who  quietly  captured  a  squad  of  pickets  that  were  stationed  on 
the  road  leading  into  the  town.  He  then  sent  forward  Major 
Wheat's  battalion  of  General  Taylor's  Louisiana  brigade,  with  the 
First  Maryland  regiment,  to  make  the  attack.  This  was  accom- 
plished with  so  little  confusion,  that  the  Federals  were  taken 
entirely  by  surprise.  They  had  scarcely  a  loaded  gun.  Some 
were  fishing,  others  bathing — having  no  idea  of  the  proximity  of 
an  enemy  until  they  heard  the  report  of  the  guns  of  the  garrison 
in  town.  This  gave  them  time  to  make  some  preparations  for  the 
coming  fight.  The  First  Maryland  regiment,  with  General  Tay- 
lor's Louisiana  brigade,  were  thrown  forward  with  such  impetu- 
osity, that  the  Federals,  finding  themselves  overpowered,  were 
compelled  to  make  a  hasty  retreat.  The  Federal  artillery  was  sta- 
'tioned  on  a  very  high  hill.  This  enabled  them  to  make  a  much 
longer  resistance  than  was  at  first  expected.     They  were  finally 


19 

compelled  to  abandon  their  position  and  guns.  Ashby's  cavalry 
were  thrown  forward  and  attacked  the  infantry,  which  had  gained 
time  to  form  across  the  pike  leading  from  Front  Royal  to  Win- 
chester, upon  which  they  were  retreating,  but  were  unable  to 
repulse  the  desperate  onset  of  the  cavalry,  and  were  scattered  in 
confusion  over  the  country.  General  Trimble's  brigade  was  placed 
in  supporting  distance  of  the  troops,  and  consequently,  were  not 
immediately  engaged  in  this  brilliant  little  affair.  Nearly  all  the 
Federal  troops  stationed  at  Ff  ont  Royal  were  captured.  The  Con- 
federate loss  at  this  place  was  about  ten  men  killed  and  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  wounded.  The  Federal  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 
was  heavier.  Strasburg,  Front  Royal  and  Winchester  are  so  situ- 
ated as  to  form  a  triangle,  Winchester  lying  north  of  the  other 
two,  and  about  twenty  miles  distant  fi-om  each  other.  General 
Jackson  took  the  main  body  of  his  army  and  moved  direct  from 
Front  Royal  to  Strasburg,  to  attack  and,  if  possible,  dislodge  the 
enemy  stationed  at  that  place,  leaving  General  Trimble's  brigade 
to  move  up  and  guard  the  road  leading  from  Front  Royal  to  Win- 
chester. General  Jackson  arrived  at  Strasburg  some  time  during 
the  night  of  the  24th  of  May,  and  immediately  commenced  the 
attack,  In  the  meantime,  Trimble  was  moving  directly  to  Win- 
chester, at  which  place  the  main  body  of  the  Federal  army  was. 
As  soon  as  the  forces  at  Strasburg  were  attacked,  and  found  they 
would  be  completely  overpowered,  they  began  to  retreat  in  the 
direction  of  Winchester,  and  were  closely  pressed  by  the  Confede- 
rate forces.  They  did  not,  however,  retire  without  an  attempt  at 
resistance,  for  they  kept  up  an  almost  incessant  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry through  the  night.  Trimble's  brigade  moved  up  to  within 
four  miles  of  Winchester,  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  road,  and 
kept  a  strict  lookout  for  the  Federals,  a  portion  of  whom  were 
expected  to  attempt  to  escape  in  that  direction.  Having  left  their 
blankets  and  knapsacks  at  Front  Royal  to  be  brought  on  by  the 
wagons,  and  being  exposed  in  an  inert  condition  to  the.  piercing 
wind,  a  dreary  night  of  suffering  was  passed  by  the  Sixteenth 
regiment.     As  the  day  was  heralded  by  the  sun's  first  faint  rays, 


20 

the  rattling  of  musketry  was  heard,  a  heavy  fog  preventing  the 
artillery  from  operating  for  perhaps  an  houi',  which  being  cleared 
away,  its  thunders  were  heard  reverberating  through  the  distant 
hills.  General  Jackson  commenced  the  attack  on  the  south  side  of 
the  city,  his  left  extending  west  and  a  little  around  it,  and  his  right 
connecting  with  General  Trimble's  brigade,  which  had  taken  posi- 
tion on  the  east  side.  It  was  here  that  Courtney's  battery  was 
supported  by  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  and  the  Fifteenth  Alabama 
regiments.  Here  the  two  little  armies  engaged  in  close  and 
deadly  confli^^t.  Volley  after  volley  was  poured  by  each  into  the 
ranks  of  the  other,  both  struggling  for  victory.  One  or  the  other 
must  soon  give  way.  After  about  two  hours  of  stubborn  resist- 
ance, a  deafening  yell,  emanating  from  the  Confederate  ranks,  was 
heard  rising  above  the  din  of  the  raging  conflict,  which  told  that 
theirs  was  the  victory.  The  Federal  lines  gave  way,  and  the  vic- 
torious Confederates  rushed  forward  like  a  storm.  The  retreating 
Federal  forces  attempted  to  make  a  stand  in  the  streets  of  Win- 
chester. Many  availed  themselves  of  the  protection  afforded  by 
houses,  and  fired  upon  the  Confederates  from  the  windows.  But 
the  victorious  tide  could  not  be  stayed.  Flight  or  surrender  were 
the  alternatives.  The  Federals  chose  the  first,  and  moved  out  on 
the  road  leading  north  from  Winchester  towards  Martinsburg  and 
Harper's  Ferry,  on  the  Potomac  river.  A  Parrot  gun,  which  was 
captured  from  the  Federals  the  day  before,  was  placed  on  a  com- 
manding elevation  by  General  Trimble,  and  kept  up  a  rapid  fire  on 
their  retreating  column  until  beyond  its  reach.  Ashby's  cavalry 
were  then  ordered  forward,  but  Colonel  Ashby  was  unable  to  con- 
trol them  and  keep  them  in  close  pursuit  of  the  retreating  Fede- 
rals, on  account  of  their  disposition  to  plunder  and  possess  them- 
selves of  some  of  the  goods  that  the  Federals  had  abandoned  in 
their  hasty  retreat.  The  victory  was  consequently  rendered  less 
complete  than  it  might  have  been.  The  result  was,  the  capture  of 
over  three  thousand  prisoners,  with  a  large  number  of  small  arms,  a 
few  cannon,  several  hundred  wagons,  and  a  large  amount  of  quar- 
termaster and  commissary  stores.     General  Jackson  pursued  Gene- 


21 

ral  Banks  to  Harper's  Ferry,  where  he  found  the  Federal  forces 
stationed  on  Bolivar  Heights,  an  almost  impregnable  position. 
He  saw,  with  his  usual  quickness  of  perception^  that  the  enemy 
could  not  be  driven  from  their  position  without  a  fearful  sacrifice 
of  life.  Hearing  that  General  Fremont  was  closing  in  on  his  rear, 
and  that  General  Shields  was  mai'ching  from  Fredericksburg  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  junction  with  Fremont  at  Strasburg,  a 
distance  of  about  forty-five  miles  in  his  rear,  and  directly  on  his 
line  of  retreat.  General  Jackson  therefore  abandoned  further  ope- 
rations against  Banks;  and  in  order  to  save  his  army  and  the 
booty  of  the  battle  of  Winchester,  determined  to  retreat. 

He  arrived  at  Strasburg  on  the  first  of  June,  just  in  time  to 
save  his  extensive  wagon  train.  General  Fremont  arrived  a  short 
time  after  General  Jackson  had  conducted  his  train  safely  to  the 
rear.  General  Shields  halted  at  Front  Royal,  and  thus  cut  off  the 
retreat  of  Jackson  in  that  direction;  but  had  he  pushed  on  to 
Strasburg  and  formed  a  junction  with  Fremont  at  that  place,  as 
was  expected,  the  movements  of  Jackson  would  have  been  embar- 
rassed to  a  degree  which  might  have  resulted  in  the  total  over- 
throw of  his  army.  Instead  of  giving  Fremont  battle  at  Stras- 
burg, Jackson  only  made  a  feint,  and  continued  his  retreat  up  the 
valley,  burning  the  bridges  as  he  passed  over  them,  thus  delaying 
the  pursuit  of  the  Federals.  Arriving  at  Cross  Keys,  and  having 
drawn  the  Federals  from  their  base  of  supplies,  he  halted  and 
determined  on  making  a  stand. 

The  Federal  army  came  up  on  the  Tth  of  June,  and  on  the  8th 
formed  in  line  of  battle.  General  Shields  being  on  the  south  side 
of  the  Shenandoah  river.  General  Jackson,  having  different  forces 
to  contend  against  at  the  same  time,  determined  to  divide  his  com- 
mand so  as  to  operate  as  successfully  as  possible.  Ewell's  divi- 
sion was  left  at  Cross  Keys.  General  Jackson  moving  about  four 
miles  distant  and  a  little  south  of  Cross  Keys,  to  Port.  Republic, 
in  order  to  stop  the  progress  of  Shields,  who  was  encroaching 
upon  his  right  flank.  Ewell  formed  his  division,  consisting  of 
about  eight  thousand  men,  in  line  of  battle   to  receive  the  attack 


22 

of  Fremont.  EUzey's  brigade  was  posted  on  the  left,  Taylor's  in 
the  centre,  and  Trimble's  on  the  right.  The  Federals  commenced 
the  attack  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  by  skirmishing  and 
cannonading,  and  at  the  same  time  moving  their  line  forward. 
Courtney's  battery,  which  was  attached  to  Trimble's  brigade,  was 
stationed  on  an  adjacentiJiill,  and  supported  bj"-  the  Fifteenth  Ala- 
bama regiment;  and  as  that  position  seemed  to  be  the  main  point 
of  attack,  and  for  fear  of  losing  his  battery,  Captain  Courtney 
requested  that  General  Trimble  would  send  the  Sixteenth  Missis- 
sippi regiment  to  his  aid,  which  being  immediately  granted,  the 
regiment  took  a  position  in  front  of  the  battery  on  the  brow  of  a 

hill,  behind   a  string  of  fence.     The  Eighth  New  York  regiment 

t 
moved  up  in  a  beautiful  line  through  a  wheat  field.  They  ap- 
proached within  thirty  steps  of  the  fence  b}'-  which  the  Sixteenth 
Mississippi  was  concealed,  when  they  received  a  deliberate  volley 
into  their  ranks.  So  sudden  and  so  unexpected  was  this,  that, 
seized  with  terror,  they  immediately  gave  away.  Colonel  Posey, 
perceiving  the  effect  of  the  first  fire,  ordered  his  regiment  forward. 
It  crossed  the  fence,  rushed  forward  and  kept  up  a  rapid  fire  as  it 
advanced.  The  whole  line  now  became  engaged.  One  of  the 
enemy's  batteries,  which  seemed  to  devote  its  attention  to  the  Six- 
teenth regiment,  seeing  it  rapidly  advancing,  limbered  up  for  the 
purpose  of  leaving  that  portion  of  the  field.  Colonel  P.osey,  per- 
ceiving an  opportunity  to  capture  it,  moved  his  regiment  to  the 
right,  to  prevent  the  battery  from  making  its  escape;  by  which 
movement  he  placed  his  regiment  in  the  rear  of  the  Twenty-seventh 
Pennsylvania  regiment,  which  commenced  a  rapid  and  destructive 
fire  upon  him.  Colonel  Posey  returned  the  fire,  and  ordered  his 
men  to  move  forward,  which  they  did,  firing  all  the  time.  Here 
Colonel  Posey  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  breast.  The  Pennsyl- 
vania regiment  behaved  gallantly,  and  did  not  retreat  until  the 
Twenty-first  Georgia  regiment,  perceiving  the  situation  of  the 
Sixteenth,  came  to  its  assistance.  The  following  members  of  the 
Quitman  Guards  were  severely  wounded  in  this  attack:  William 


23 

Garner,  Jared  B.  May,  Wesley  Yarborougli  and  Dr.  A.  P.  Spark- 
man. 

The  attack  was  attempted  to  be  renewed  by  the  Eighth  New 
York  Kegiment,  but,  being  met  by  the  Fifteenth  Alabama  regiment, 
and  having  lost  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  the  engage- 
ment with  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi,  was  not  able  to  stand  against 
the  earnest  attack  of  the  Alabamians,  and  were  driven  pell  mell 
from  the  field.  Generals  Ellzey  and  Taylor  having  repulsed  the 
Federal  forces  in  their  front,  and  night  coming  on,  the  fighting 
ceased,  and  both  armies  went  into  camp.  Their  fires  were  in  full 
view  of  each  other,  and  their  reliance  for  protection  was  in  the 
vigilance  of  their  pickets.  General  Trimble,  perceiving  the  appa- 
rent indifierence  while  in  camp,  requested  General  Ewell  to  allow 
him  to  make  a  night  attack,  and  urged  that  "  as  we  had  defeated 
them  during  the  day,  might  easily  put  them  to  rout."  Ewell  re- 
ferred the  matter  to  General  Jackson,  who  thought  it  unadvisable, 
as  the  Federals  numbered  him  two  to  one. 

On  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  June  General  Ewell  was  ordered 
to  Port  Republic,  where  Jackson's  division  was  engaged  against 
Shields.  Ewell's  division  was  put  in  motion,  and  the  Sixteenth 
Mississippi  regiment  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  to  cover  the 
retreat  to  Port  Republic.  The  Federals,  fearing  stratagem,  ad- 
vanced cautiously,  but  frequently  met  the  skirmishers,  who  con- 
tested every  foot  of  ground.  They  covered  the  retreat  with  credit 
to  themselves  and  safety  to  the  division.  They  crossed  the  bridge 
at  Port  Republic,  set  it  on  fire,  thus  preventing  the  further  pursuit 
of  the  enemy.  In  the  meantime  Jackson  had  defeated  Shields, 
and  compelled  him  to  retreat  down  the  valley. 

Hearing  that  Jackson  was  receiving  reinforcements  from  Rich- 
mond, Fremont  began  a  retrograde  movement,  and  Jackson  and 
Ewell  went  into  camp  near  Weir's  cave,  adjacent  to  the  field  of  the 
recent  conflict.  Thus  ended  the  battles  of  Cross  Keys  and  Port 
Republic.  They  were  victories  achieved  by  the  Confederate  forces. 
The  Federals  were  repulsed  in  every  assault  and  were  driven  from 
every  position.    But  few  prisoners  were  taken  by  either  party,  and 


24 

the  loss  of  the  Confederate  forces  were  comparatively  small.  Four 
members  of  the  Quitman  Guards,  whose  names  have  been  given, 
one  of  whom  (Wesley  Yarborough)  died  in  the  hospital  from  the 
effects  of  his  wounds — William  Garner  and  Dr.  A.  P.  Sparkman 
were  disabled  for  life  and  are  at  this  time  sufferers  from  their 
wounds — were  the  losses  sustained  by  the  company.  The  loss  of 
the  regiment  was  about  twenty-five  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Tlie    JSeven.    I>ays'    Battles    Before    I2.ich.mond. 

Yorktown  was  evacuated.  The  battle  of  Williamsburg  had  been 
fought,  and  on  the  2*7 th  of  May  following,  occurred  the  battle  of 
Seven  Pines,  in  which  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  was  wounded. 
Gen.  McClellan  was  gradually  approaching  Richmond,  and,  judg- 
ing from  the  carefulness  of  his  movements,  and  the  magnitude  of 
his  preparations,  the  Confederate  army  anticipated  a  hard  and 
bloody  struggle  for  that  city.  Gen.  Johnston  being  unable  to 
keep  the  field  on  account  of  his  wounds.  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee,  of 
Virginia,  was  placed  in  command  of  the'  Confederate  army  around 
Richmond.  He  knew  the  coming  struggle  would  be  of  a  desperate 
character;  he  knew  the  qualities  of  the  powerful  leader  with  whom 
he  was  about  to  contend,  and  gave  them  proper  weight.  And 
having  been  advised  of  the  splendid  and  well  equipped  army  which 
was  concentrated  for  his  overthrow,  and  the  subjugation  of  the 
Confederate  capital,  he  bent  the  full  energy  of  his  comprehensive 
mind  in  making  the  arrangements,  and  constructing  and  perfect- 
ing the  plans  necessary  to  save  the  capital,  and  thus  baffle  and 
defeat  the  designs  of  the  great  general  of  the  Federal  forces.  Gen. 
Stonewall  Jackson's  little  army  was  considerably  jaded  from  its 
recent  forced  marches  and  hard  fought  battles  in  the  valley  of  the 
Shenandoah,  but  being  animated  by  the  splendid  victories  achieved 
by  it  at  Winchester,  Cross  Keys  and  Port  Republic,  it  still  re- 
tained its  martial   spirit.    The  endurance  manifested  by  it  was 


25 

almost  unparalleled  in  history,  and  it  was  now  ready  to  undergo 
still  greater  sufferings  in  completing  some  of  the  most  splendid 
campaigns  ever  devised  by  a  military  leader  or  executed  by  an 
army.  Gen.  Jackson  was  ordered  to  reinforce  the  army  at  Rich- 
mond, and  on  the  14th  of  June  he  left  his  camp  at  Weir's  Cave, 
and  took  the  turnpike  road  leading  from  thence  to  Gordonsville. 
Who  can  portray  the  feelings  of  that  little  army  while  crossing 
the  Blue  Eidge  mountains  on  that  occasion  ?  Almost  worn  down 
by  their  recent  adventures,  they  were  now  called  upon  by  their 
general-in-chief  to  march  to  his  assistance  a  distance  of  more  than, 
a  hundred  miles.  But  with  unbroken  spirits  and  undaunted  cour* 
age  they  climbed  the  mountain  slopes  with  the  same  firm  tread 
with  which  they  had  moved  to  their  recent  victories.  Upon  arriving 
at  the  top  of  the  mountains  at  Brown's  Gap  they  were  halted  to 
rest,  from  which  point  they  had  a  full  view  of  the  surrounding 
country.  The  scenes  upon  one  side  forced  them  to  reflect  upon  the 
events  of  the  past  few  days — events  marked  by  carnage  and  blood, 
in  which  they  had  participated ;  and  before  them  were  events  wrapped 
in  the  bosom  of  the  future,  which  must  ere  long  transpire,  A 
di-eadful  battle  was  destined  to  be  fought,  in  which  they  must  act 
an  important  part — a  battle  upon  the  issue  of  whicli  rested  the  fate 
of  the  capital  of  the  Confederate  States,  as  well  as  that  of  the 
South.  They  bad  learned  by  the  light  of  experience  the  length 
breadth  and  depth  of  the  meaning  of  the  word  war.  Their  con- 
templations were  intermingled  with  thoughts  of  home  and  the 
dear  ones  there.  How  many  households  would  wear  the  sombre 
badge  of  mourning  when  the  battle  was  fought,  and  the  number 
of  the  killed  and  wounded  was  made  known.  Would  the  tear  of 
uncontrollable  sorrow  course  down  the  cheek  of  that  mother,  who 
was  perhaps  then  kneeling  in  the  quietude  of  her  chamber  offering 
up  prayers  for  the  safety  and  final  restoration  of  her  soldier  boy  to 
her  bosom  ?  View  him  upon  the  mountain's  summit,  above  the 
surrounding  scenery,  his  implements  of  war   swung  around  him, 

thinly  clad,  meagre  and  war-worn — he  exhibits  no  signs   of  fear, 
4 


26 

he  utters  no  repinings  against  his  hard  lot  for  his  country's  good 
and  the  safety  of  her   who   prays  for  him  at   home.     He  defiantly 
bids  the  worst   come,  and   looks   the   future  full  in  the  face  with 
calm  resolution  and  determined  fortitude. 

Gen.  Jackson  arrived  at  Gordonsville  about  the  17th  of  June, 
and  sent  some  of  his  troops  by  railway  to  Beaver  Dam  Station, 
where  they  disembarked  aud  marched  across  the  country  to  Ash- 
land, which  is  situated  on  the  Richmond  and  Fredericksburg  Rail- 
road, at  which  place  they  arrived  about  the  25th  of  June.  On  the 
26th  his  corps  was  put  in  motion  and  marched  to  Mechanicsville, 
where  he  attacked  the  extreme  right  flank  of  the  Federal  army. 
He  succeeded  in  driving  them  from  their  position.  The  fighting 
did  not  cease  until  night  closed  the  scene.  The  Federals  had 
fallen  back  during  the  night  to  Cold  Harbor,  and  entrenched  them- 
selves on  an  elevated  position,  with  a  boggy  ravine  and  a  strong 
abatis  formed  of  fallen  trees  in  their  front;  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  21th  the  battle  re-opened  with  redoubled  fury.  Jackson's  divi- 
sion was  on  the  left  of  Ewell's,  and  that  of  Gen.  Longstreet's  was 
connected  on  the  left  by  Gen.  EwelFs  division.  In  order  to  gain 
the  brow  of  an  opposite  hill  for  the  purpose  of  shelter,  until  every 
thing  was  in  readiness  for  a  general  charge,  the  Sixteenth  Missis- 
sippi regiment  were  obliged  to  charge  through  this  marshy  ravine, 
in  the  face  of  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Federals.  Several  feints  were 
made  in  order  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  Federals  from  their 
right,  where  Jackso^i  was  executing  a  flank  movement.  About 
sundown  a  charge  was  ordered  all  along  the  line,  and  the  Sixteenth 
Mississippi,  with  the  other  regiments  of  the  division,  rushed  for- 
ward to  the  attack,  and  notwithstanding  the  deadly  fire  to  which 
they  were  exposed,  they  continued  to  advance,  keeping  up  a  rapid* 
fire  of  musketry;  and  in  spite  of  the  breastworks,  the  strong  abatis, 
and  the  galling  fire,  they  succeeded  in  taking  the  works  and 
driving  the  enemy  from  the  field.  Though  this  was  accomplished 
in  about  fifteen  minutes,  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment  lost 
about  eighty  men  in  killed  and  wounded.     The  losses  sustained  by 


27 

the  Quitman  Guards  were  Joseph  W,  Collins,  killed;  George  W. 
Simmons,  mortally  wounded;  George  Root,  severely  wounded 
throug'h  both  knees;  and  Lieut.  John  Holmes  slightly  wounded  in 
the  hip.  Capt.  Brown,  of  Company  A,  Summit  Rifles,  was  killed 
in  this  charge.  He  was  acting  major,  and  was  gallantly  leading 
the  charge  when  he  fell.  He  was  a  good  and  efficient  oflScer,  and 
his  loss  was  mourned  by  all  the  regiment,  but  more  especially  by 
the  Summit  Rifles,  whom  he  had  the  honor  to  command,  and  who 
were  so  much  devoted  to  him.  Jackson  pursued  the  retreating 
Federals  to  Malvern  Hill,  where  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regi- 
ment was  exposed  to  a  severe  shelling  for  about  eight  hours.  The 
battles  before  Richmond  began  on  the  26th  of  June,  and  ended  on 
the  2d  of  July,  1862,  during  which  time  the  Federals  were  driven 
about  thirty  miles.  The  Confederate  forces  remained  masters  of 
the  field,  and  went  into  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  Richmond.  The 
troops  remained  in  camp  during  the  month  of  July  and  part  of 
August,  during  which  time  nothing  of  interest  transpired,  except 
an  occasional  movement  to  the  front,  to  repel  an  advance  or 
demonstration  made  by  the  Federals.  In  the  meantime,  a  force  of 
about  thirty  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of  the  Federal 
General  Pope,  who  had  been  placed  in  commiind  of  the  army  of  the 
Shenandoah  valley,  moved  from  the  city  of  "Winchester  to  Culpep- 
per Court  House.  While  in  camp  near  Richmond  t'lere  was  a 
general  reorganization  of  the  brigades  of  the  Confederate  army. 
They  were  all  formed  of  troops  from  the  same  State,  under  the 
command  of  a  brigadier  general  from  that  State.  The  divisions 
were  formed  of  troops  from  dilierent  States,  no  two  brigades  from 
the  same  State  being  in  the  same  division.  The  Sixteenth  Missis- 
sippi regiment  was  taken  from  General  Trimble's  brigade,  and 
placed  in  one  foraied  of  the  Twelfth  and  Nineteenth  regiments,  and 
First  Mississippi  battalion,  which  battalion  was  afterwards  called 
the  Forty-Eighth  regiment.  The  brigade  thus  formed  was  placed 
under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  W.  S.  Featherston,  from 
Holly  Springs,  Miss.     It  was   then   made  to  form  a  part  of  Major 


28 

General  R.  H.  Anderson's  division,  which  was  composed  of  the 
several  brigades,  under  the  following  commands:  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Mahone's,  from' Virginia;  Brigadier  General  Wilcox's,  from 
Alabama;  Brigadier  General  Wright's,  from  Georgia,  and  Brigadier 
General  Prior's,  from  Florida.  Much  regret  was  expressed  by  the 
Sixteenth  regiment,  at  the  necessity  that  forced  the  separation 
from  General  Trimble's  brigade;  and  when  they  learned  that  they 
were  no  longer  a  part  of  it,  they  went  to  his  headquarters  to  sere- 
nade him,  and  to  express  their  sorrow  for  the  separation.  After 
the  music  by  the  band,  Gen.  Trimble  appeared  in  front  of  the  men, 
who  had  gathered  around  his  quarters,  and  delivered  a  short  ad- 
dress, reminding  them  of  the  gallant  manner  in  which  they  con- 
ducted themselves  in  the  Valley  campaign,  at  Cold  Harbor  and 
Gaines'  Farm,  and  expressed  his  sincere  regret  at  the  necessity  that 
separated  them  from  his  brigade.  He  told  them  that  he  loved  them 
as  his  children;  that  they  were  entitled  to,  and  no  doubt  would  re- 
ceive the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  world,  for  that  heroism 
which  they  had  never  failed  to  exhibit  on  every  field  of  battle — a 
heroism  amounting  to  sublimity.  He  told  them  the  place  of  his 
residence,  and  with  an  utterance  rendered  indistinct  by  emotion, 
he  said  that  when  the  red  tide  of  war  should  cease  to  flow,  when 
benign  peace  should  sit  enthroned  upon  the  national  heart,  there 
would  be  a  place  at  his  hearth,  a  home  beneath  the  roof  that  shel- 
tered him,  for  the  gallant,  for  the  brave,  and  for  the  chivalrous. 
What  soldier  who  heard  him  speak  on  that  occasion  will  ever  suf- 
fer his  name  to  be  effaced  from  his  memory.  What  though  he 
now  sleeps  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking,  his  name  is  engraven 
upon  a  thousand  living  monuments — in  the  hearts  of  his  fellow 
soldiers. 


29 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Miaryland  Campaign— Battle  of  Slaugliter  IVTountain — 
Second.  Battle  of  IVIanassas— Battle  of  Sliarpsbu.rg,  INXd., 
and   tlie    Surrender  of  Harper's  Ferry. 

General  Jackson  was  ordered  to  Gordonsville  for  the  purpose  of 
commencing  operations  against  General  Pope.  For  this  purpose 
he  moved  out  from  Gordonsville,  crossed  the  Rapid  Ann  river,  and 
on  the  9th  of  August  attacked  an^  defeated  the  Federals  at 
Slaughter  Mountain  in  Culpeper  county.  The  Federal  army  at 
Harrison's  Landing,  on  the  James  river,  commanded  by  General 
McClellan,  was  embarking  for  Washington  city.  This  movement 
was  supposed  to  be  for  the  purpose  of  changing  their  base  of  mili- 
tary operations.  General  Lee  left  Eichmond  on  the  13th  of  August, 
1862,  and  proceeded  to  Gordonsville  to  repel  their  advance  from 
Alexandria.  Upon  his  arrival  at  that  place  (Gordonsville)  he  com- 
menced a  forward  movement  in  the  direction  of  Manassas.  The 
Federal  army,  though  defeated  by  Stonewall  Jackson  at  Slaughter 
Mountain,  did  not  leave  Culpeper  county  j  but  on  account  of  having 
received  reinforcements,  only  retired  to  the  Court  House,  and 
remained  there  until  General  Lee  advanced  with  his  whole  army. 
General  Lee  crossed  the  Rapid  Ann  river  at  German?,  and  Raccoon 
Fords,  and  sent  a  portion  of  his  command  to  Kelley's  Ford,  on  the 
Rappahannock  river,  under  the  command  of  General  Wilcox,  for 
the  purpose  of  driving  out  a  small  body  of  Federal  cavalry  and 
artillery  stationed  there.  The  remainder  of  his  army  was  sent  to 
Culpeper  Court  House.  Arriving  at  Kelley's  Ford,  the  Twelfth 
and  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiments,  under  the  command  of  Colo- 
nel Posey,  were  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre.  Companies  K  and  H, 
of  the  Sixteenth,  were  deployed  as  skirmishers;  those  remaining 
were  formed  in  line  of  battle  to  repel  the  attack  of  the  cavalry,  in 
case  the  skirmishers  failed  to  drive  them  back.  Two  hours  of 
fighting  ensued,  when  the  two  companies  of  skirmishers  were  com- 
pelled to  fall  back  on  the  regiments  for  protection.     The  cavalry 


30 

« 

being  deceived  as  to  the  actual  force  against  them,  and  perceiving 
a  portion  of  the  Twelfth  regiment  extending  from  a  skirt  of  woods 
into  an  open  field,  immediately  prepared  to  charge  them.  The 
Twelfth  regiment  held  its  fire  until  the  cavalrj'  advanced  within 
gun  shot  range,  then  discharged  a  volley  into  their  ranks,  which 
turned  them  in  an  opposite  direction,  killing  a  largo  number  of 
them.  The  Federals,  discovering  the  odds  against  .them,  retired  to 
the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  where  they  had  the  advan- 
tage of  a  hill,  upon  which  they  placed  their  artillery,  when  both 
sides  commenced  a  fierce  cannonading,  which  did  not  cease  until 
dark.  The  Federals  having  crossed  the  Rappahannock  at  Kelly's 
Ford,  General  Wilcox  moved  on  to  Brandy  Station,  on  the  Orange 
and  Alexandria  railroad,  to  rejoin  the  main  body  of  the  army,  near 
which  place  General  Lee  was  endeavoring  to  force  a  passage 
across  the  river.  The  army  remained  at  this  point  for  only  a  suffi- 
cient time  to  prepare  rations,  when  General  Lee  moved  to  the  left, 
forced  his  passage  across  the  river,  and  compelled  General  Pope 
to  retire  in  the  direction  of  Manassas,  and  by  a  rapid  march  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  Manassas  simultaneously  with  Pope,  where  he 
found  Genei'al  Jackson,  who  v/as  about  twenty-four  hours  in  ad- 
vance of  the  main  body  of  the  army,  engaged. 

The  arr^'val  of  General  Lee  was  opportune,  as  it  prevented  the 
capture  of  General  Jackson,  for  he  was  fighting  against  great 
odds,  and  was  at  the  time  endeavoring  to  cut  his  way  through  the 
Federals.  In  the  meantime,  Pope  had  received  reinforcements 
from  McClellan;  and  on  the  29th  of  August  the  two  armies  .\gain 
confronted  each  other  on  the  memorable  plains  of  Manassas. 
Jackson's  corps  constituted  the  left,  and  Longstreet's  the  right 
wing.  Anderson's  division  occupied  the  centre.  Considerable 
fighting  occurred  during  the  day.  At  night  both  armies  were 
engaged  in  manoeuvering,  rectifying  their  lines,  and  making  pre- 
parations for  a  general  engagement. 

The  morning  of  the  30th  began  with  skirmishing  and  cannonad- 
ing. The  Federals  advanced  on  the  right  and  left,  at  intervals, 
until  afternoon,   and  were  as  often  repulsed.      At    about   four 


31 

o'clock  a  general  engagement  was  determined  upon.  The  thunders 
of  artillery  now  burst  forth  from  the  right  and  left  wings,  and  the 
terrible  and  continuous  explosions  were  taken  up  by  the  centre. 
The  air  was  filled  with  sulphurous  matter,  which  seemed  to  mad- 
den the  forces  with  impatience  to  move  forward  and  assist  in  the 
carnage  which  everywhere  prevailed.  The  Federals  massed  a 
large  force  in  their  centre,  and  in  front  of  Anderson's  division,  for 
the  purpose  of  breaking  Lee's  centre,  and  moved  forward  several 
columns  in  depth;  and  soon  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  men 
were  engaged  in  deadly  combat.  Charge  after  charge  was  made, 
and  as  often  repulsed.  A  deafening  yell  would  ever  and  anon  rise 
above  the  din  of  battle,  as  one  side  or  the  other  would  gain  an 
advantage.  For  three  dreadful  hours  the  raging  conflict  con- 
tinued. The  enfilading  shots  from  the  Confederate  batteries,  and 
the  galling  fire  of  their  well  directed  rifles,  thinned  the  Federal 
ranks,  and  caused  them  to  waver,  which,  being  perceived  by  the 
Confederates,  they  rushed  forward  with  redoubled  energy  and  fury. 
The  Federals,  unable  to  stand  the  determined  onset,  fled  in  confu- 
sion from  the  field.  The  sun  sank  in  the  west;  night  came  on,  and 
still  the  work  of  carnage  continued.  A  long  blaze  of  light  con- 
tinned  to  stream  forth  from  the  advancing  column  of  Confederates. 
Sudden  flashes  of  light,  emitted  from  the  bursting  shells,  lit  up  the 
surrounding  darkness  like  hundreds  of  meteors.  A  continuous 
roar  cf  musketry,  and  the  thunders  of  artillery,  with  the  madden- 
ing yells  of  the  combatants,  created  a  scene  of  confusion  beyond 
the  power  of  description.  For  two  hours  more  the  work  of  death 
went  on,  when  it  ©eased  suddenly,  and  a  deathlike  stillness  every- 
where prevailed,  w)iich  was  only  broken  by  the  shrieks  of  the 
wounded  and  dying. 

During  the  battle  the  Quitman  Guards  displayed  their  wonted 
heroism.  General  Wilcox  desired  to  take  a  battery  that  was 
doing  much  damage  to  the  Confederate  ranks,  and  for  this  purpose 
ordered  General  Featherston  to  move  forward  in  order  to  attract 
its  attention,  while  he  charged  it  with  his  own  brigade.  General 
Featherston  obeyed  the  order,   standing  in  front  of  his  brigade, 


32 

apparently  heedless  of  the  iron  hail  that  was  falling  thick  around 
him,  and  which  inflicted  instant  death  upon  a  large  number  of  his 
men.  The  position  of  the  Sixteenth  was  very  much  exposed,  and 
they  suffered  greatly;  yet,  though  witnessing  their  comrades  fall- 
ing around  them,  they  stood  with  unflinching  bravery  to  their  post. 

The  Alabamians  charged  the  battery  without  success,  and  the 
loss  suffered  by  the  Sixteenth  proved  of  no  avail.  The  loss  of  the 
Quitman  Guards  may  be  summed  up  as  follows:  W.  L.  Williams, 
wounded  in  the  left  arm,  which  was  afterwards  amputated;  Benja- 
min Holmes,  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  musket  ball;  Burton  D. 
Bankston  in  the  hip;  John  Walker  in  the  leg;  and  Matthew  Wil- 
son in  the  groin.  The  company  was  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Golden  Wilson,  who  here  added  new  laurels  to  those  already 
gathered  by  him.  There  was,  indeed,  no  lack  of  courage  manifested 
by  any  of  the  troops  engaged. 

The  night  of  the  30th  of  August  was  truly  an  awful  one;  more 
than  twenty  thousand  men  lay  weltering  in  their  gore;  friend  and 
foe  lay  promiscuously  piled  and  heaped,  and  the  still  night  air  was 
pierced  by  the  agonizing  cries  of  the  wounded  and  dying.  The 
stoutest  heart  sickened  and  grew  faint  while  contemplating  the 
scene.  The  tedious  hours  of  night  dragged  slowly  along  to  those 
who  were  wounded  and  left  on  the  field,  with  nothing  to  contem- 
plate but  the  wide  spread  field  of  the  dead  and  dying  that  sur- 
rounded them.  No  sound  was  to  be  heard  but  the  groans  and 
cries  of  their  suffering  comrades  and  foes. 

On  the  morning  of  the  31st  of  August  the  Federals  sent  a  detail 
to  bury  their  dead,  and  an  ambulance  train  to  carry  away  their 
wounded,  under  a  flag  of  truce.  This  was  immediately  granted  by 
General  Lee,  who  left  a  detail  to  bury  the  dead  of  his  own  army, 
and  remove  the  wounded  to  the  different  hospitals  that  were  pre- 
pared for  their  reception.  The  Federal  army  retreated  in  the 
direction  of  Alexandria,  and  General  Lee  pressed  closely  after 
them.  He  came  up  with  their  rear  guard  at  Shantilla,  attacked  it, 
and  forced  it  to  hurry  its  retreat.  Instead  of  following  Pope  to 
Alexandria,  Lee  bore  to  the  left  toward  Leesburg,  and  crossed  the 


Potomac  at  that  place  into  Maryland,  and  moved  directly  on  to 
Frederic  city,  where  he  halted  to  rest  and  make  additions  to  his. 
commissary  stores,  which  were  nearly  exhausted — the  array  havitig 
passed  through  a  country  that  had  been  desolated  by  the  frequent 
incursions  of  the  Federal  as  well  as  Confederate  forces.  The  rail- 
road bridge  across  the  Monocacy  was  blown  up  by  General  Lee. 
The  Federal  army  concentrated  at  Washington  city  under  General 
McClellan,  who  immediately  moved  on  to  Frederic  city,  for  the 
purpose  of  preventing  the  further  progress  of  Lee  into  Maryland. 
A  Federal  garrison  of  eleven  thousand  men  were  stationed  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  under  General  Miles;  and  for  the  purpose  of  cap- 
turing this  garrison,  Geperal  Lee  left  Frederic  city  about  the  12th 
of  September.  General  Longstreet  was  sent  with  a  portion  of  his 
command  by  way  of  Boonsboro,  to  prev,ent  the  Federals  from 
making  their  escape  through  Maryland  into  Pennsylvania  by  way 
of  the  Cumberland  valley.  General  A.  P.  Hill  was  ordered  to 
re-ci'oss  the  Potomac,  and  take  possession  of  Loudon  Heights. 
General  Jackson  was  directed  to  move  to  the  west  side  of  the 
Shenandoah  river,  and  take  possession  of  Bolivar  Heights.  Gen- 
eral Anderson's  division  was  taken  to  Sandy  Hook,  on  the  Mary- 
land side.'  General  A.  P  Hill  took  possession  of  Loudon  Heights 
on  the  14th  of  September,  and  immediately  placed  twenty  guns  in 
position  to  bear  on  Harper's  Ferry.  General  Jackson  secured 
Bolivar  Heights.  Cobb's  Georgia  and  Barksdale's  Mississippi 
brigades  captured  Maryland  Heights.  Harper's  Ferry  was  now 
completely  surrounded,  and  there  was  no  possible  way  of  escape. 
In  the  meantime.  General  McClellan  was  moving  rapidly  on  Long- 
street's  rear,  as  well  as  on  the  troops  at  Sandy  Hook 

The  morning  of  the  15th  was  commenced  with  the  firing  of  the 
guns  from  Loudon  and  Bolivar  Heights,  under  the  respective  com- 
mands of  A.  P.  Hill  and  Jackson.  The  garrison,  seeing  themselves 
completely  surrounded,  and  no  possibility  of  reaching  their  assail-, 
ants,  and  fearful  of  the  consequences  that  might  ensue,  ran  up  the 
white  flag,  and  made  an  unconditional  surrender.  About  fifteen 
thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  a  large  amount  of  quartermaster 


34 

and  commissary  stores,  a  large  number  of  wagons,  eighty-four 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  eleven  thousand  men,  were  surrendered  to 
Major  General  A.  P,  Hill. 

In  the  meantime,  General  McClellan  had  reached  Boonsboro  and 
attacked  Longstreet,  who,  perceiving  the  odds  against  him,  fell 
back  to  Sharpsburg,  where  he  engaged  them  on  the  16th  of  Sep- 
tember; and  having  received  reinforcements,  he  succeeded  in 
holding  them  in  check  until  Lee's  arrival  with  his  forces,  thus 
saving  himself  from  total  defeat. 

The  two  lines  of  battle  extended  nearly  parallel  with  the  An- 
tietam  river,  on  the  north  bank  of  which  the  Federals  had  stationed 
a  great  many  guns,  having  the  advantage  of  position  over  the 
Confederates.  General  Anderson's  division  arrived  on  the  11th, 
about  11  o'clock — the  battle  was  then  raging — and  it  immediately 
went  into  action.  General  Featherston  not  having  recovered  from 
the  wound  he  received  at  Richmond,  and  having  received  a  hurt 
from  the  falling  of  his  horse.  Colonel  Posey  commanded  his  brig- 
ade, which  also  went  into  action  on  the  front  and  left  of  the  town 
of  Sharpsburg.  The  Sixteenth  Mississippi  went  into  action  with 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  immediately  charged  the  enemy. 
The  Federals  were  stationed  on  the  brow  of  a  hill,  and  nothing 
could  be  seen  of  them  by  the  advancing  Mississippians  but  their 
heads  and  shoulders.  At  the  time  of  the  charge  made  by  the  Six- 
teenth, the  Federals  were  engaging  troops  who  were  stationed  in 
an  old  road.  Posey's  brigade  charged  up  through  a  corn  field, 
under  a  sweeping  fire  from  the  Federals  in  their  front,  and  an  enfi- 
lading fire  from  their  batteries  on  the  right  and  left,  until  they 
reached  the  troops  stationed  in  the  above  mentioned  old  road, 
where  they  were  ordered  to  halt.  A  rapid  fire  was  kept  up  for 
several  hours,  but  the  gallant  Federals  remained  unmoved.  There 
were  so  many  troops  in  this  old  road,  and  the  slaughter  so  great, 
that  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  move  them  back  two  or  three 
hundred  yards,  to  a  more  advantageous  position.  Pei'ceiving  dis- 
order among  the  troops.  Colonel  Posey  stopped  the  colors  at  the 
proper  place,  when  the  men  rallied  to  them  in  perfect  order,  and 


35 

immediately  began  a  destructive  fire  upon  the  Federals,  who  had 
advanced  when  the  Confederates  were  falling  back.  The  brigade 
held  this  position  throughout  the  day.  The  Federals  were  repulsed 
on  the  right  and  left,  but  stood  firmly  in  their  centre. 

The  loss  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment  in  the  battle  of 
Sharpsburg  was  heavy.  It  went  into  action  with  two  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  and  numbered  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  at  the  close 
of  the  battle.  The  Quitman  Guards  numbered  but  thirteen  men  at 
the  commencement  of  the  battle,  and  at  its  close  there  were  but 
three  unhurt.  The  following  are  the  casualties:  Lieut.  Golden 
Wilson,  mortally  wounded;  Lieut.  Van  C.  Coney,  wounded;  Jesse 
W.  Guy,  killed;  Reaves  Rhodis,  David  Leonard,  A.  J.  Tarburton, 
Wm.  McCusker,  A.  E.  Ard,  Thomas  M.  Barr,  and  L.  W,  Conerly, 
were  wounded.  General  Lee's  army  having  marched  so  far,  and 
having  been  engaged  in  so  many  battles,  were  in  consecjuence 
so  completely  worn  down  that  not  more  than  half  of  ifc^  numbers 
were  in  the  engagement.  The  battle  of  Sharpsburg  was  fought 
by  about  thirty-five  thousand  Confederate  troops,  according  to 
the  reports  of  some  of  the  generals.  General  Lee  having  secured 
the  garrison  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  relieved  Longstreet  of  his 
perilous  situation,  and  night  coming  on,  the  battle  was  closed,  and 
he  withdrew  to  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac.  He  crossed  one 
portion  of  his  army  at  a  ford  near  Sharpsburg,  and  the  other  at 
Shepardstown,  several  miles  up  the  river.  After  crossing  at  the 
latter  place,  General  Lee  stationed  a  division  of  men  and  a  few 
pieces  of  artillery  on  the  very  high  and  steep  banks  of  the  river, 
in  order  to  repulse  the  Federal  cavalry,  who,  he  had  reasons  to  be- 
lieve, would  attempt  to  follow  him.  The  precipitous  banks  of  the 
river  prevented  a  road  from  being  built  directly  up  them,  and 
the  road  ran  parallel  with  the  river  for  about  the  fourth  of  a  mile, 
reaching  the  top  of  the  bank  by  gradual  ascent.  The  division  of 
men  and  the  artillery  were  stationed  on  the  bank,  at  the  base  of 
which  was  this  road.  The  infantry  were  stationed  so  far  back 
from  the  edge  of  this  bank  or  bluflf,  as  not  to  be  observed  by  any 


36 

on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  Federal  cavalry,  as  was 
expected  by  General  Lee,  dashed  up  to  the  ford,  put  several  guns 
in  position,  and  began  to  shell  across  the  river.  The  Confederate 
cannoneers  immediately  cut  their  horses  loose  from  their  carriages, 
mounted  them  and  fled  with  much  apparent  confusif>u.  The  Fed- 
eral cavalry  perceiving  this,  and  having  no  thoughts  of  opposition 
in  their  passage  across  tlie  river,  dashed  forward,  and  in  a  short 
time  this  narrow  roa,d  was  filled  with  them  from  the  ford  to  the 
top  of  the  bank.  The  division  of  Confederate  infantry  immediately 
arose  to  their  feet,  rushed  to  the  brink  of  the  bluff  and  poured  a 
destructive  volley  into  their  ranks.  Seized  with  consternation,  and 
finding  no  other  way  of  escape,  they  plunged  headlong  into  the 
river.  The  Confederates  continued  a  rapid  fire  for  ten  or  fifteen 
minutes,  in  which  time  the  Potomac,  fur  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  was 
filled  with  the  killed,  wounded  and  drowning  men  and  horses.  This 
pat  an  end  to  the  further  pursuit  of  our  army  by  the  Federals,  and 
General  Lee  retired  to  Bunker's  Hill,  near  Winchester,  where  he 
went  into  camp  and  remained  until  the  latter  part  of  October. 
Wliile  here,  Col.  J.  J.  Shannon,  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi,  re- 
signed and  returned  to  Mississippi. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Battles    of   Fredericlrsbiirs    and    Cliancellorsville. 

Learning  that  the  Federal  army  was  again  advancing  towards 
Manassas,  from  Alexandria  and  the  upper  Potomac,  General  Lee 
put  his  army  in  motion,  passing  through  the  city  of  Winchester, 
and  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains  at  Chester  Gap,  near  Front 
Royal,  and  moving  direct  from  thence  to  Culpeper  Court  House, 
and  again  established  his  picket  lines  on  the  banks  of  the  Rappa. 
hannock  river.  There  being  no  serious  demonstrations  made  by 
the  Federals,  the  Confederate  troops  were  once  more  permitted  to 
go  iuto  camp,  and  enjoy  a  short  rest  from  their  long  toils  of  march- 


37 

ing-  and  fighting,  to  which  they  had  been  ahnost  unceasingly  sub- 
jected for  the  last  three  mouths.  Nothing  was  required  of  them 
but  the  usual  drills,  outpost  duties,  and  camp  guard  necessary  for 
the  defence  and  discipline  of  an  army.  General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart, 
commanding  the  Confederate  cavalry,  and  stationed  on  outpost 
duty,  was  constantly  engaged  with  the  Federal  cavalry,  during 
the  army's  sojourn  at  Culpeper,  and  was  very  often  necessitated 
to  ask  the  aid  of  a  few  regiments  of  infantry  in  repelling  the  fre- 
quent incursions  of  the  enemy.  After  fighting,  them  for  eight  or 
ten  days  without  success,  he  finally  called  for  two  large  regiments 
of  infantry  to  assist  in  driving  them  from  one  portion  of  his  lines, 
upon  which  they  were  making  daily  encroachments.  The  Six- 
teenth Mississippi  and  the  Tenth  Alabama  were  accordingly  sent 
to  Hazel  river,  one  of  the  branches  of  the  Kappahannock,  for  the 
purpose  of  supporting  him,  at  which  place  they  arrived  about  dark, 
on  the  9th  of  November,  1862.  On  the  next  morning  General 
Stuart  began  to  advance  witli  his  cavalry,  and  immediately  en- 
gaged that  of  the  Federals,  they  having  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle 
and  prepared  for  action.  General  Stuart  had  two  pieces  of  can- 
non; the  Federals  had  about  the  same  number.  Being  supported 
by  the  infantry  skirmishers  from  the  Sixteenth  Regiment,  the  Con- 
federate cavalry  were  inspired  with  greater  courage,  and  fought 
with  determination,  making  several  charges.  The  infantry  skir- 
mishers were  also  hotly  engaged.  The  Federal  cavalry  were 
driven  from  their  position  for  a  distance  of  about  four  miles,  when, 
receiving  reinforcements  from  Amesville,  General  Stuart  was  com- 
pelled to  return  to  his  original  position.  The  Sixteenth  Missis- 
sippi regiment  lost  six  or  eight  men  wounded,  among  whom  was 
Ralph  Gibson,  of  the  Summit  Rifles.  , 

The  Federal  army  was  at  that  time  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Burnside,  and  about  the  20  th  of  November  began  to  move  in  the 
direction  of  Fredericksburg.  General  Lee  left  Culpeper  Court 
House  about  the  same  time,  crossed  the  Rapid  Ann  at  Germana 
and  Ely's   Fords,  and   moved  in  an   eastwardly  direction  to  Fred- 


38 

ericksburg.    The  Federal  army  was  stationed  on  Stafford's  Heights, 
on  the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,   and  fronting  Fredericks, 
burg.     The   Confederate   army  was   stationed  on  the  south  bank, 
on  a  commanding   ridge  running   parallel  with   the  river.     There 
were  no  obstructions   in   the   intervening  space  between  the  two 
armies,  save  the  rippling  waters  of  the  Rappahannock.     The  beau- 
tiful valley  lay  stretched   in   the   distance,  with  a  row  of  stately 
trees  fringing  its  margin  on  the  river.     The  ancient  town,  where 
sleeps  the  mother  of  the  immortal  Washington,  presented  a  sad 
and  gloomy  picture,   as  it  was  situated   between  two  large  and 
hostile  armies.     Must  the  sacred  spot,  where  rest  the  crumbling 
ashes  of  the  mother  of  the  hero  of  America  and  of  American  inde- 
pendence, be  the  scene  of  a  deadly  conflict   between  the  sons  of 
that  great  republic — the  wonder  of  the  world  ?     The  sad  truth  was 
realized.     The  pickets  of  the  two   armies  were  stationed  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  within  gunshot  distance,  and  were  forbidden  to 
fire  except  when  an  attempt  was  made  to  cross  the  river.     On  the 
night  of  the  lOth  of  December,  after  hauling  their  pontoon  boats  to 
the  water's  edge,  the  Federals  began  the  construction  of  a  pontoon 
bridge,  under   cover  of  their    artillery.     Barksdale's   Mississippi 
brigade  fought  nobly  to  prevent  the  construction  of  the  bridge,  but 
on  account   of  the   raking  fire   from   the  Federal   batteries  and 
infantry  bearing  upon  that   particular  point,  the  brigade  was  com- 
pelled to  yield  the  ground,   and  the   Federals  effected  a  crossing. 
On  the  11th,  General  Lee  was   engaged  in  placing  his  artillery  in 
position,  and  otherwise  strengthening  his  lines  for  a  sure  defence 
against  the  Federals,  who  outnumbered  him  two  to  one.     On  the 
night  of  the  11th  the  Federals  crossed  their  infantry,  and  a  portion 
of  their  artillery,   and  massed   them  in  the  town  for  protection, 
knowing  that  General  Lee  would  not  fire  on  them  while  there,  on 
account  of  the  non-combatants,  who  were  prevented  from  removing 
by  the  sudden  movements    of  the    army.     On  the  12th  the  two 
armies  kept  up  a  continuous  cannonading  and   skirmishing;  at 
night  the  Federals  extended  their  lines  for  the  purpose  of  making 


39 

a  general  assault.  The  Confederate  army  was  thus  arranged: 
Jackson's  corps  composed  the  right  wing,  with  Stuart  on  his  right 
to  protect  the  flank;  General  Longstreet's  composed  the  left  wing, 
and  fronted  the  town;  General  Featherston's  brigade  was  imme- 
diately in  front  of  the  town,  and  extended  across  the  main  road, 
which  leads  from  it  in  a  southerly  direction.  The  Federals  on  the 
right  and  in  front  of  Jackson's  corps,  moved  up  under  cover  of  the 
night,  and  fortified  themselves,  building  several  lines  of  breast- 
works. The  dawn  of  the  13th  exhibited  to  General  Lee  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Federal  army.  It  was  evident  that  the  struggle  would 
be  a  hard  one,  as  General  Burnside  had  expressed  his  determina- 
tion to  "  carry  the  crest."  But  knowing  the  disadvantageous  posi- 
tion of  the  enemy,  and  relying  on  the  indomitable  courage  and 
endurance  of  his  troops,  General  Lee  felt  himself  secure  against 
any  assaults  the  Federals  might  attempt  against  him.  Fighting 
began  in  the  morning  by  skirmishing  and  cannonading,  which  was 
kept  up  a  good  portion  of  the  day.  Charges  were  frequently  made 
for  the  purpose  of  trying .  the  strength  of  the  Confederate  lines, 
which  were  as  often  repulsed.  Seeing  the  impossibility  of  moving 
the  Confederates  by  detail  fighting.  General  Burnside  concluded  to 
make  a  general  assault.  He  opened  his  artillery  from  Stafford 
Heights  with  fearful  effect,  and  ordered  the  infantry  to  charge. 
The  Confederate  batteries  on  Mayes'  Heights  and  Lees  Hill  did 
not  often  reply,  but  reserved  their  fire  for  the  advancing  column  of 
infantry.  As  soon  as  the  Federal  line  approached  sufficiently 
near,  the  Confederates  discharged  a  volley  of  musketry,  but  did 
not  check  the  advancing  column  at  once;  but  the  rapidity  of  their 
fire,  with'  that  of  the  artillery,  soon  brought  them  to  a  stand.  The 
guns  on  Stafibrd  and  Mayes'  Heights  and  Lees  Hill  thundered  away 
witli  spiteful  fury,  and  up  and  down  the  lines  for  four  miles  the 
incessant  roar  of  musketry,  the  booming  of  cannon,  the  bursting 
and  whizzing  of  shell  and  solid  shot,  and  the  buzzing  sound  of 
grape  and  canister  that  plowed  into  the  ranks  of  the  contending 
armies,  were  heard  mingled  with  the  yells   and  shouts  of  the 


40 

enthusiastic  soldiery.  The  Federal  army  was  often  driven  back, 
but  like  a  dark  and  furious  wave  of  the  mighty  ocean  that  dashed 
against  the  sturdy  rock,  would  rally  again  to  the  charge,  and 
again  recoil  before  the  incessant  fire  of  the  Confederate  guns. 
Being  unable  to  dislodge  the  Confederates  from  their  position,  and 
their  ranks  being  decimated,  the  Federals  were  compelled  to  retire. 
Jackson  drove  them  back  to  the  river's  edge  in  his  front;  Long- 
street  repulsed  every  charge  made  upon  him;  Featherston's  brig- 
ade did  its  share  of  the  work,  and  the  Quitman  Guards  performed 
their  allotted  part.  After  the  repulse  of  the  Federals,  the  Quit- 
man Guards  were  placed  several  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the 
brigade  to  act  as  pickets  for  its  protection  during  the  night.  In 
order  to  protect  themselves  from  the  fire  of  the  Federal  sharp- 
shooters, who  thronged  the  houses  in  the  town,  they  spent  the 
night  in  fortifying  themselves.  Here,  as  well  as  on  many  subse- 
quent occasions.  Captain  Bain  exhibited  such  coolness  and  cour- 
age as  is  worthy  of  mention,  and  proved  himself  to  be  a  brave  and 
efficient  officer.  His  apparent  indifference  to  danger  inspired  his 
men  with  confidence,  and  they  exhibited  a  willingness  to  follow 
wherever  he  would  lead. 

The  Federals  did  not  renew  the  attack  on  the  14th,  though  both 
sides  kept  up  a  constant  sharpshooting  and  shelling.  On  the 
night  of  the  14th,  the  Federals  withdrew  to  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  taking  up  their  pontoons.  The  loss  of  the  Sixteenth  was  trifling 
in  the  engagement  at  Fredericksburg.  The  Quitman  Guards  lost 
none.  The  Confederate  army  being  stationed  behind  breastworks, 
and  having  a  splendid  position,  were  enabled  to  repulse  the  ad- 
vance of  the  Federals  without  suffering  much  damage,  though 
inflicting  severe  punishment  upon  the  enemy.  After  burying  the 
Federal  dead,  removing  the  wounded  that  covered  the  field  of 
battle,  and  gathering  up  the  trophies  from  the  field,  the  Confede- 
rate army  again  established  its  picket  lines  on  the  banks  of  the 
Rappahannock,  and  went  into  camp. 

Some   amusing   incidents   happened  during   the   fight,    one  of 


41 

which,  as  it  exhibits  great  composure  and  courage  in  the  hour  of 
danger,  deserves  to  be  recorded.  There  was  a  North  Carolina 
regiment  in  Jackson's  corps, — (if  we  are  not  mistaken,  it  was  the 
Fifty-seventh  regiment  of  conscripts.)  As  soon  as  the  Federals 
began  to  retire,  this  regiment  was  ordered  forward.  They  ad- 
vanced yelling  and  firing.  A  hare,  frightened  at  the  terrible  storm 
that  was  raging,  dashed  through  the  advancing  regiment,  which 
attracted  the  attention  of  one  of  the  conscripts,  who,  seeming  to  for- 
get that  he  was  engaged  in  battle,  and  the  missiles  of  death  that 
filled  the  air,  stopped  and  contemplated  the  little  animal  as  it  sped 
to  the  rear,  and  exclaimed  :  "  Go  it,  cotton  tail,  if  it  wern'tfor  my 
honor  I'd  be  going  that  way  too."  Not  having  been  before  in 
battle,  and  being  highly  elated  at  the  Federals  giving  way  before 
them,  they  rushed  forward  with  furious  impetuosity,  in  advance  of 
the  main  line.  Their  oflBcers  did  all  in  their  power  to  keep  them 
in  order  with  the  other  portion  of  the  line,  but  without  success, 
until,  observing  the  main  line  to  halt,  and  perceiving  the  utter 
futility  of  a  further  advance  on  their  part,  and  receiving  orders 
from  General  Hill,  they  returned.  After  r^jturning,  some  of  them 
were  heard  to  say,  "  If  we  had  been  them  ar  Toxicaas,  General 
Hill  would'er  let  us  gone  on." 

General  Barksdale's  Mississippi  brigade  was  quartered  in  the 
town  of  Fredericksburg  for  the  winter.  The  remainder  of  the 
army  built  their  winter  quarters  from  two  to  four  miles  in  the  rear. 
No  very  interesting  events  transpired  while  i:^  winter  quarters. 
Both  armies  seemed  to  rest  in  perfect  security.  They  were  en- 
camped in  full  view  of  each  other,  and  exchanged  sympathies  with 
the  suffering  entailed  by  that  long  and  dreadful  winter.  Rain, 
sleet  and  snow  fell  in  abundance.  The  cold,  freezing  blast  howled 
through  the  camps  of  the  shivering  armies.  The  Confederates 
were  meagrely  supplied  with  wood.  Clothing,  blankets  and  shoes 
were  luxuries  denied,  except  to  those  who  were  remembered  around 
the  blazing  hearths  at  home.  Many  a  brave  son  of  the  South,  who 
had  been  used  to  luxury,  was  compelled  to  stand  or  sit  shivering 

over  the  expiring  embers  of  the  last  log  of  wood  to  prevent  freez- 
6 


42 

ing.  Could  the  planter  at  home,  surrounded  with  all  the  comforts 
of  life,  with  armoirs  filled  to  repletion  with  blankets,  coverlets 
and  quilts,  have  witnessed  the  untold  and  almost  inconceivable 
sufferings  of  the  men  who  thus  dared  the  freezing  blast  of  a  rigid 
winter,  as  well  as  the  missiles  of  death,  that  he  might  remain  at 
home  to  revel  in  comforts  and  luxuries,  while  the  bare  necessities 
of  nature  were  denied  the  soldier,  would  his  stingy  heart  have 
relented  ?  And  would  he  have  unlocked  his  armoirs  ?  We  are 
fearful  that  the  parsimoniousness  would  have  been  re-enacted  of  a 
wealthy  lady,  who,  observing  the  suffering  endured  by  her  less 
fortunate  neighbor,  determined  to  present  the  suffering  family 
with  a  load  of  wood,  and  so  ordered  her  servant.  But  upon  reach- 
ing her  parlor,  where  the  winter  winds  were  tempered  to  the 
pleasantness  of  summer,  she  observed  to  her  servant:  "John,  you 
need  not  take  that  load  of  wood  to  our  poor  neighbor,  for  I  believe 
the  weather  has  moderated.  Truly,  charity  begins  at  home,  and 
it  is  man's  duty  to  take  care  of  his  own  household." 

Rations  were  also  scarce,  for  the  reason  that  the  severity  of  the 
weather  made  transportation  difficult.     This  added  greatly  to  the 

■  sufferings  of  the  army.  But  few  furloughs  were  granted,  and  the 
troops  had  nothing  to  cheer  them  through  those  long  and  dreary 
months.     Two  and   a  half  years  had  passed  since  they  left  their 

'  homes.  They  had  passed  through  some  of  the  most  sanguinary 
battles  ever  fought  on  the  American  continent;  and  though  they 
had  gained  victory  after  victory,  yet  the  prospect  of  peace  was 
like  a  faint  and  glimmering  light  enveloped  in  mist,  appearing  far, 
far  in  the  distance.  The  war  seemed  to  have  just  begun.  The  fire- 
brands of  civil  strife  were  blazing  more  brightly  than  ever,  and  the 
red  mantle  of  war  enshrouded  the  whole  country;  the  precious 
gems  of  peace  and  liberty,  which  they  once  so  fondly  pressed  to 
their  bosoms,  had  vanished.  They  were  exchanged  for  the  clash 
of  arms  and  the  gory  field.  No  prospects  of  peace,  no  hopes  of 
soon  returning  to  their  peaceful  and  quiet  homes;  with  frames 
attenuated  and  tortured  with  long  and  wearisome  marches,  nume- 

^  reus  battles,   and  icy  winters,   they  patiently  awaited  for  the 


43 

X 

problem  of  their  fate  to  be  solved  by  Him  who  rules  the  destinies 
of  man.  Who  would  once  suppose  that  men  thus  situated  would 
retain  on6  spark  of  their  martial  spirit  ?  Who  would  suppose  that, 
amidst  the  gloom  that  surrounded  them,  they  would  for  a  moment 
stand  as  a  bulwark  of  iron  against  the  powerful  and  well  equipped 
hosts  which  were  afterwards  hurled  against  them  with  such  unre- 
lenting fury  ?  But  that  flamt  was  there.  It  burned  brightly  and 
undimmed  upon  the  altar  of  their  hearts,  and  like  the  luminous 
halo  that  encircles  a  bright  and  beautiful  star  amid  the  quietude 
of  a  dark  and  dreary  night,  it  lit  up  the  placid  brows  of  those  war 
worn  veterans  with  cheering  hopes  and  stern  determinations. 

Featherstou's  brigade  remained  near  Fredericksburg  until  the 
latter  part  of  March,  1863.  In  the  meantime.  Colonel  Posey  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General,  and  placed  in  command 
of  Featherston's  brigade.  General  Featherston  having  been  trans- 
ferred to  Mississippi,  and  placed  in  command  of  a  brigade  under 
General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  commanding  the  department  of  East 
Louisiana,  Mississippi  and  Alabama.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baker 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel.  Major  E.  M.  Feltus  to  lieu- 
tenant-colonel, and  Captain  Council  to  the  rank  of  major  of  the 
regiment.  Posey's  brigade,  with  that  of  Mahone's,  from  Virginia, 
were  ordered  to  United  States  Ford,  on  the  Rappahannock  river, 
fifteen  miles  above  Fredericksburg.  Burnside  had  l^een  removed, 
and  General  Jo.  Hooker  was  placed  in  command  of  the  Federal 
army,  and  it  was  expected  that  he  would  attempt  a  crossing  either 
at  that  or  some  other  ford  further  up  the  river,  and  thus  force  Gen- 
eral Lee  from  bis  position  at  Fredericksburg.  Frequent  demon- 
strations were  made  in  that  direction  during  the  months  of  March 
and  April.  The  men  here  were  more  comfortably  quartered;  with 
wood  in  abundance,  and  the  winter  nearly  spent,  th(;ir  sufferings 
were,  from  these  circumstances,  considerably  ameliorated.  Provi- 
sions continued  scarce  as  ever,  owing  to  the  distance  from  the 
railroad  and  the  bad  condition  of  the  roads  and  teams.  About  the 
middle  of  April,  the  freezing  blasts  of  winter  began  to  cease,  and 


44 

the  genial  sunshine  of  Spring  melted  the  icicle  and  snow,  and 
infused  new  life  into  the  soldier. 

While  here,  the  chaplains  who  had  been  appointed  to  the  several 
regiments,  perceiving  the  increasing  depravity  of  some  of  the 
troops,  and  the  disregard  of  religious  principles  manifested  by 
almost  all  of  them,  consulted  with  each  other  for  the  purpose  of 
perfecting  some  plan  by  which  an  improvement  of  the  morals  of 
the  troops  might  be  effected.  The  result  of  the  conference  was  the 
formation  of  the  "  Young  Mens'  Christian  Philanthropic  Associa- 
tion." A  large  number  soon  became  membei's  of  the  association, 
and  proved  its  benign  effects  by  their  altered  conduct.  Quite  a 
number  attached  themselves  to  the  church,  and  afterwards  led 
exemplary  lives. 

Here  J.  Dumay  Travis  was  elected  junior  second  lieutenant  of 
the  Quitman  Guards. 

About  the  10th  of  April,  the  Federal  cavalry  attempted  to  cross 
the  Rappahannock  river  at  Kelly's  Ford,  bufwere  driven  back. 
They  continued  their  demonstrations  at  different  points  on  the 
river,  until  the  26th,  when  their  cavalry  effected  a  crossing  at 
Kelly's  Ford.  Crossing  the  Rapid  Ann  at  Germana  Ford,  they 
proceeded  in  the  direction  of  Fredericksburg.  A  detail  of  car- 
penters, stationed  by  General  Lee  at  Germana,  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a  bridge,  made  but  a  feeble  resistance.  A  few  were  cap- 
tured, the  remainder  were  dispersed,  who  afterwards  rejoined  their 
regiments.  Learning  that  the  Federal  cavalry  were  rapidly 
advancing  toward  Fredericksburg,  the  brigades  of  Generals  Posey 
and  Mabone  were  ordered  to  the  plank  road  leading  from  Germana 
to  Fredericksburg,  to  stop  their  progress.  This  movement  on  the 
part  of  Posey  and  Mabone  left  an  opening  at  United  States  Ford, 
through  which  the  Federal  infantry  might  pass.  Posey  and  Ma- 
bone formed  in  line  of  battle  at  or  near  the  Chancellorsville  House, 
across  the  above  plank  road,  and  thus  held  the  cavalry  in  check 
until  General  Lee  got  the  main  body  of  his  army  in  motion,  and 
made  such  disposition  of  his  troops  as  was  necessary.  The  cross- 
ing of  the  Federal  infantry  at  United  States  Ford,  compelled  Gen-' 


45 

erals  Posey  and  Mahone  to  fall  back  two  or  three  miles  from  Chan- 
cellorsville. 

On  the  29th,  the  Federal  army  moved  out  from  United  States 
Ford  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  facing  north  towards  Fredericks- 
burg, and  across  the  plank  road,  entrenched  themselves,  and  sent 
forward  a  heavy  force  to  feel  our  position.  Lee,  in  the  meantime, 
had  made  the  proper  disposition  of  his  troops,  and  was  ready  to 
receive  them.  The  country  is  tolerably  level  and  thickly  covered 
with  woods,  which  circumstance  rendered  artillery  almost  useless, 
except  by  the  Federals,  who  had  possession  of  the  fields  around 
Chancellorsville.  Hooker  continued  to  unfold  his  lines,  forming 
three  separate  ones,  entrenching  each,  and  building  very  strong 
traverses  to  secure  his  troops  against  an  enfilading  fire  from  the 
Confederates,  in  <5ase  they  should  get  around  on  his  right  flank. 
General  Lee  built  only  a  few  temporary  works.  Jackson's  com- 
mand constituted  the  left  wing,  and  the  right  was  commanded  by 
General  Lee  in  person.  Posey's  brigade  was  about  the  centre  of 
the  line,  and  across  the  plank  road  For  several  daj's  continuous 
skirmishing  and  occasional  cannonading  was  kept  up.  An  engage- 
ment between  a  brigade  or  division  would  frequently  occur,  but 
resulted  in  nothing  definite. 

On  the  night  of  the of  May,  Jackson  began  a  movement 

to  the  left,  bearing  on  Hooker's  left  flank  and  rear.  The  Quitman 
Guards  were  at  that  time  on  the  skirmish  lines,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Van  C.  Coney.  The  second  platoon  on  the 
left  of  the  road  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  J.  Q.  Travis.  Lieu- 
tenant John  Holmes  was  at  that  time  acting  adjutant  of  the  regi- 
ment. Jackson  executed  his  movement  to  the  left,  and  on  the  — 
was  in  the  rear  of  Hooker.  He  placed  a  battery  on  Hooker's  right, 
so  as  to  enfilade  his  lines,  and  then  began  the  charge  iu  his  rear. 
Lee  charged  their  front  at  the  same  time  with  the  troops  under 
his  immediate  command.  Thus  the  Federals  were  placed  between 
two  fires,  and  were  also  exposed  to  a  destructive  enfilading  fire 
from  the  Confederate  batteries  on  the  right.    They,  however,  had 


46 

breastworks  facing  both  ways,  and  were  prepared  for  a  stubborn 
resistance. 

The  battle  opened  with  spiteful  fury.  The  Federals  had  the 
advantage  of  the  rising  ground,  and  used  their  artillery  effect- 
ively. The  Sixteenth  Mississippi  charged  with  unfixed  bayonets, 
(Colonel  Baker  afterwards  remarking  that  it  never  occurred  to 
him  to  fix  bayonets  until  the  charge  was  over.)  Thus  situated, 
the  two  armies  soon  became  hotly  engaged.  The  Confederate 
army,  like  a  mighty  billow,  swept  over  the  breastworks  of  the 
Federals,  carrying  everything  before  it.  The  Federals  fought 
gallantly  to  sustain  themselves,  but  without  eflFect.  The  works 
being  carried,  a  hand  to  hand  strife  ensued.  The  artillery  ceased, 
but  the  clashing  of  small  arms  told  that  the  deadly  strife  was  still 
progressing.  Bayonets  crossed,  and  the  revengeful  eyes  of  the 
contending  foes  met  each  other's  gaze.  Clubbed  muskets  fell  with 
crushing  weight  upon  the  victim  warriors,  and  the  mangled  forms 
of  the  dead  and  dying  covered  the  ground.  The  Federals  were  at 
length  forced  to  yield,  and  the  Confederates  were  masters  of  the 
extensive  works  of  their  less  fortunate  foe. 

The  Quitman  Guards  were  not  engaged  in  this  charge;  they 
were  supporting  a  battery  which  was  engaged  during  the  progress 
of  the  battle.  They  suffered  considerably  in  the  skirmishing,  losing 
two  men  killed  and  four  wounded,  viz  :  John  Newman  and  Asa  H. 
Guinea,  killed;  Lieut.  J.  Q.  Travis,  right  hand  amputated;  Simeon 
Eatliflf,  right  fore-finger  shot  off ;  W.  L.  Payne  and  T.  J.  Forest, 
-slightly.  During  this  terrible  battle  the  immortal  Stonewall  Jack- 
son was  wounded.  After  his  line  of  battle  had  been  formed  in 
rear  of  the  enemy,  he  went  in  front  of  it  to  observe  their  move- 
ments; while  there  some  disturbance  was  created,  which  being 
mistaken  by  his  men  for  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  they  began  a 
rapid  fire,  wounding  their  own  general,  This  sad  occurrence,  it 
will  be  remembered,  happened  at  night,  and  the  position  of  their 
beloved  General  was  unperceived  by  his  men,  and  though  his  staff 
officers  exerted  themselves  to  their  utmost  to  prevent  the  spread 


47 


of  the  news  of  the  sad  accident,  it  was  sooa  known  by  every  one 
in  the  army.  While  prostrated  and  weakened  by  the  wound,  this 
illustrious  man  was  seized  with  pneumonia,  and  died  shortly  after. 
Thus  one  of  the  greatest  generals  of  the  age  was  lost  to  the  Con- 
federate army.  His  death  cast  a  gloom  over  the  entire  South,  and 
the  exultations  of  victory  were  lost  in  sorrowful  lamentations  over 
the  great  national  calamity. 

After  the  battle  at  Chancellorsville,  General  Lee's  attention  was 
drawn  towards  Fredericksburg,  at  which  place  Sedgwick  had 
crossed  twenty-five  or  thirty  thousand  men,  and  was  approaching 
the  rear  of  Lee.  He  immediately  detached  a  sufficient  force  for 
the  purpose  of  driving  them  back  across  the  river.     This  force  met 

the  Federals  at Church,  and   immediately  began  the  attack. 

The  Federals,  not  expecting  an  attack,  were  somewhat  confused, 
and  consequently  did  not  make  their  usual  resistance.  After  a 
few  rounds  they  began  to  waver,  perceiving  which  the  Confeder- 
ates moved  forward  with  enthusiastic  shouts.  The  fighting  began 
about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  and  lasted  until  dark.  The  Fed- 
erals were  driven  back  to  the  river,  and  re-crossed  it  at  Banks' 
Ford,  three  or  four  miles  above  Fredericksburg,  Posey's  brigade 
was  engaged  in  this  brilliant  affair,  and  exhibited  their  usual  valor. 
It  is  proper  to  mention  here  an  incident  which  inay  seem  incredi- 
ble, but  for  the  truth  of  which  many  will  vouch.  Some  time  after 
dark  the  Confederate  line  of  battle  moved  nearer  to  the  ford  at 
which  the  Federals  were  crossing.  General  Posey,  wishing  to  be 
certain  of  their  movements,  called  for  volunteers  to  go  out  and  see 
what  discoveries  could  be  made.  Among  others,  John  Walker  and 
J.  E.  Simmons,  of  the  Quitman  Guards,  volunteered.  Shortly  after 
leaving  the  line  they  were  halted  by  a  company  of  Federal  pickets. 
"  Who  are  you  ?"  said  one  of  the  pickets.  They  replied,  "  We  are 
Confederate  soldiers;  you  are  now  surrounded  by  our  forces  and 
we  have  come  to  conduct  you  safely  to  our  lines."  The  Federals 
immediately  stacked  their  arms,  and  the  company,  sixty  in  num- 
ber, were  conducted  by  these  two  gallant  young  men  to  General 


48 


Posey's  headquarters.  This  bold  adventure  of  "Walker  and  Sim- 
mons does  not  only  deserve  a  place  in  this  imperfect  sketch,  but 
should  descend  in  history  to  futm-e  generations. 

The  battle  of  Chancellorsville  was  fought  by  about  forty-five 
thousand  men  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates,  and,  considering  the 
numbers  engaged  against  them,  was  a  brilliant  victory.  What 
the  Federal  force  was  on  this  occasion  we  are  not  prepared  to 
state,  though  it  was  represented  by  their  papers  as  vastly  out- 
numbering the  Confederates.  General  Lee  now  massed  his  whole 
force  at  Chancellorsville;  and  here  was  presented  to  our  eyes  the 
most  sublime  spectacle  upon  which  we  ever  gazed.  The  veteran 
general  and  subordinate  officers,  surrounded  by  the  massed  forces 
upon  the  field  of  the  recent  battle,  the  debris  scattered  in  confu- 
sion, men  mangled  and  torn,  disemboweled  horses,  broken  mus- 
kets and  cannon,  spades,  axes  and  all  other  implements  of  war, 
together  with  the  ruins  of  the  breastworks,  covered  the  field,  pre- 
senting a  picture,  upon  the  bare  recollection  of  which  we  would 
fain  close  our  eyes  forever. 

General  Hooker  again  returned  to  Stafford,  and  General  Lee's 
troops  occupied  their  old  camps,  continuing  to  picket  on  the  banks 
of  the  river.  The  Confederate  army  remained  at  Fredericksburg 
until  about  the  first  of  June,  when  General  Longstreet,  who  had 
been  stationed  at  Blackwater,  rejoined  it.  The  army  was  then 
divided  into  three  corps;  the  first  under  the  command  of  General 
James  Longstreet,  the  second  was  commanded  by  General  R.  S. 
Ewell,  and  the  third  by  General  A.  P.  Hill. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The    JPennsylvania    Campaign— Battle    of   GJ-ettysbnrg. 

General  Lee  now  commenced  preparations  for  the  great  Penn- 
sylvania campaign.  General  Ewell's  corps  was  ordered  to  advance, 
and  to  proceed  towards  Winchester,  and,  if  possible,  to  capture 


49 

the  Federal  force  under  Milroy,  stationed  at  that  place.  As  soon 
as  the  Federal  commander  at  Fredericksburg  discovered  this  offen- 
sive demonstration,  he  immediately  began  preparations  to  cross 
the  river,  with  the  hope  of  forcing  General  Lee  to  call  back  Ewell's 
corps,  then  rapidly  advancing'  toAvards  Winchester.  The  Second 
Florida  regiment,  from  Prior's  brigade,  and  the  Forty-Eighth  Mis- 
sissippi, from  Posey's  brigade,  were  on  picket  at  the  time  the  Fed- 
erals began  the  construction  of  their  pontoon  bridge.  The  Federals 
placed  about  thirty  pieces  of  artillery  in  position,  and  brought 
them  all  to  bear  on  the  point  where  they  were  building  the  bridge, 
80  that  they  might  construct  it  and  effect  a  crossing  under  cover 
of  their  guns.  The  guns  opened  simultaneously,  and  an  incessant 
fire  was  kept  up  until  the  bridge  was  finished.  The  two  regiments 
from  Prior's  and  .Posey's  brigades  withstood  this  incessant  fire 
until  the  Federal  infantry  crossed  the  bridge,  overpowered  and 
captured  a  large  number  of  them.  The  Federal  infantry  thoji 
formed  in  line,  not  far  from  the  river's  edge;  they  did  not  make 
any  important  demonstrations  to  dislodge  Lee,  but  kept  up  an 
almost  incessant  skirmishing  for  ten  days,  when,  seeing  that  Lee 
would  not  recall  Ewell's  corps,  they  withdrew  across  the  river,  and 
Lee  immediately  put  his  whole  force  in  motion,  leaving  Fredericks- 
burg on  the  14th  of  June,  1863,  taking  the  plank  road  from  thence 
toCulpeper  Court  House,  passed  through  Chancellorsville,  crossed 
the  Rapid  Ann  at  Germana,  passed  through  Culpeper,  and  prc- 
ceeded  toward  Winchester. 

Hill's  corps  crossed  the  Blue .  Eidge  at  Chester  Gap,  and.  Long 
street,  bearing  further  to  the  right,  crossed  at  Snicker's  Gap. 
Ewell,  in  the  meantime,  had  attacked  Milroy  at  Winchester  and 
captured  a  large  portion  of  his  forces,  dispersing  the  remainder, 
and  moved  on  across  the  Potomac  into  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. Lee,  with  the  other  portion  of  his  army,  followed  on  his 
track,  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Shepardstown,  and  moved  direct 
from  thence  through  Hagerstown  to  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania. 
Here  General  Ewell  met  the  Pennsylvania  militia;  they,  being 
unable  to  stand   against  him,  retreated  to  Harrisburg,  and  were 


50 

followed  to  the  Susquehanna  river  by  General  Eai'ly's  division  of 
Ewell's  corps.  The  remainder  of  the  army  went  into  camp  at 
Chambersburg  to  await  the  return  of  General  Early.  In  the  mean- 
time, General  J.  E.  B.  Stuart  flanked  the  Federal  army  at  Gettys- 
burg, and  made  serious  demonstrations  on  Georgetown  and  Wash- 
ington City.  General  Early  returned  to  Chambersburg  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  June,  and  on  the  first  of  July  General  Lee  put  his  army 
in  motion  to  meet  the  Federal  army,  then  under  Meade  at  Gettys- 
burg. He  crossed  South  Mountain  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
first.  Generals  Heth's  and  Pender's  divisions  of  A.  P.  Hill's  corps 
led  the  advance,  supported  by  General  Anderson's  division.  They 
attacked  the  Federals  about  three  miles  west  of  Gettysburg,  and 
drove  them  back  to*  the  town.  The  corps  then  took  position  on 
the  right  of  Gettysburg;  General  Ewell  bore  to  the  left  and  Long- 
street  to  the  right,  both  connecting  with  A.  P.  Hill's  corps.  Skir- 
mishing and  cannonading  was  kept  up  during  the  day,  until  both 
armies  had  taken  .their  position  and  fairly  unfolded  their  lines.  The 
Federal  army  took  position  at  Cemetery  Ridge,  east  of  the  town.  A 
beautiful  valley,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  width,  dotted  with 
beautiful  farms  and  residences,  lay  stretched  between  the  contend- 
ing armies.  There  was  nothing  to  intercept  the  view  except  a 
number  of  beautiful  orchards. 

On  the  second  of  July,  General  Longstreet  attacked  the  Federals 
on  the  right,  and  Ewell  moved  forward  on  the  left.  A.  P.  Hill  did 
not  move  from  his  position  in  the  centre.  Generals  Longstreet 
and  Ewell  drove  the  enemy  several  miles,  thereby  changing  their 
line  into  a  semi-circle,  and  it  only  remained  for  the  centre  to  be 
driven  from  their  position  to  accomplish  the  victory. 

In  order  to  convey  to  the  minds  of  those  who  may  favor  this 
unpretending  pamphlet  with  a  perusal,  an  idea  of  this  battle,  we 
will  append  a  letter  of  one  of  the  Quitman  Guards  to  his  sister: 
"  Not  much  fighting  on  the  first;  were  dispirited  on  the  second. 
On  the  3d  Kkirmishing  opened  briskly  during  the  forenoon,  with 
some  hard  fighting  on  the  right  and  left.  One  o'clock  was  the 
hour  designated  for  a  charge  to  be  made  by  General  Lee  from  the 


51 

centre.  Our  brigade  (Posey's)  was  ordered  to  support  a  battery 
of  about  thirty-five  guns.  One  o'clock  at  length  came.  Each  heart 
throbbed  at  the  thought  of  the  fearful  issue.  The  signal  gun  was 
heard,  and  then  commenced  the  fearful  thunder.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  pieces  of  artillery  opened  on  the  Confederate  side,  which  were 
answered  by  twice  that  number  on  the  side  of  the  Federals.  The 
earth  fairly  quaked  from  the  efiects  of  the  terrible  storm.  Thou- 
sands of  shells  burst  around  and  about  us,  and  the  shrill  whistle  of 
long  balls  jarred  upon  our  ears.  The  firmament  seemed  to  be  in  a 
fearful  blaze,  and  the  smoke  from  the  guns  and  shells  hid  the  sun 
from  the  view.  Not  only  did  human  beings  feel  and  suffer  this 
terrible  shock,  but  the  birds,  attempting  to  fly,  tumbled  and  fell  to 
the  ground.  Everything,  save  the  undaunted  soldier,  seemed  to 
cling  to  the  earth  for  protection  from  the  terrible  storm.  Thus  the 
dreadful  conflict  raged  for  two  long  and  dreadful  hours,  The  Fed- 
eral batteries  were  silenced,  then  the  order  to  charge  was  given. 
Our  men  were  in  line  in  a  second,  and  moved  forward  with  un- 
daunted courage.  The  charge  was  made  through  a  field  nearly  a 
mile  wide,  under  a  raking  fire  of  grape  and  canister  from  the  Fed- 
eral batteries.  But  the  onward  rush  of  the  fearless  soldiery  could 
not  be  stayed.  The  breastworks  were  before  them.  A  wild  yell 
burst  forth  from  the  advancing  column  of  Confederates;  then 
began  the  work  of  small  arms.  Onward  still  advanced  the  column 
until  they  reached  the  breastworks.  Thousands  mounted  them, 
and  the  Federals,  leaving  the  first,  took  refuge  in  the  second.  Some 
of  the  cannoneers  were  drawn  from  their  guns,  but  we  were  unable 
to  hold  them.  The  Federals  were  now  reinforced .  Then  the  work 
of  death  redoubled  in  its  fury.  Our  men  fell  by  hundreds,  and  we 
were  compelled  to  retreat  to  our  original  position,  not  in  a  solid 
line,  but  in  squads,  bleeding  with  wounds;  whole  regiments  cut  to 
pieces.  Thousands  had  fallen  and  were  left  on  the  field.  The 
Federals  suffered  greatly,  and  did  not  follow  us." 

Seeing  the  impossibility  of  dislodging  the  Federals,  and  having 
nearly  exhausted  the  ammunition.  Generals  Longstreet  and  Ewell 
fell  back  on  a  direct  line  with  General  Hill's  corps,  to  the  posi- 


52 

tions  they  originally  occupied.  The  two  armies,  having  sufficiently 
tried  the  strength  of  each  other,  made  no  further  demonstrations, 
and  lay  quietly  in  their  positions.  Anderson's  division  was  not  in 
the  charge  on  the  3d,  but  was  held  in  reserve  for  the  protection  of 
the  artillery,  and  to  hold  the  position  in  the  event  that  the  charge 
was  unsuccessful,  and  the  Federals  should  attempt  to  drive  them 
from  it. 

Brisk  skirmishing  was  kept  up  throughout  the  day  on  the  4th 
of  July.  The  Quitman  Guards  were  on  the  line  all  day,  and, 
th(.ugh  much  exposed,  had  but  two  men  wounded:  William  R. 
Reeves,  right  thumb  shot  off,  and  wounded  in  the  hip,  and  Thomas 
Jell'-  Forrest  wounded  by  the  concussion  of  a  shell. 

The  loss  of  the  Confederate  army  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg 
was  estimated  at  about  fifteen  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  and  that  of  the  Federals  something  above  twenty 
thousand.  On  the  night  of  the  4th  of  July  General  Lee  withdrew 
from  Gettysburg,  re-crossed  South  Mountain,  and  moved  south- 
ward towards  the  Potomac  river.  He  halted  at  Hagerstown  for 
several  days  for  the  purpose  of  resting  his  troops,  and  to  make 
needful  additions  to  his  commissary  and  ordnance  stores.  In  the 
meantime,  the  Federal  army  moved  down  on  the  east  side  of  the 
mountain,  with  the  intention,  it  was  thought,  of  cutting  off  Lee's 
march  into  Virginia.  But  having  received  a  fresh  supply  of  am- 
munition from  Williamsport,  General  Lee  arrayed  his  troops  for 
battle,  with  the  left  wing,  under  General  Ewell,  resting  on  Hagers- 
town, Md.,  and  the  right,  under  General  Longstreet,  resting  on 
the  Potomac,  facing  eastward  toward  the  Antietam  river.  A.  P. 
Hill's  corps  occupied  the  centre.  The  Federal  army  was  drawn  up 
in  line  of  battle  near  the  Antietam  river,  with  their  line  running 
parallel  with  it. 

The  Confederate  army,  being  entrenched,  quietly  awaited  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  In  the  meantime,  General  Meade  sen.t 
a  large  force  of  cavalry  into  Virginia  to  operate  against  Lee's 
rear,  and  if  possible  cut  off  his  communication  with  Stanton,  from 
which  place  he  was  constantly  receiving  large  supplies  of  ammu- 


53 

nition  bj^  means  of  a  wagon  train.  Finding  that  the  Federals  did 
not  intend  to  attack  him  at  Hagerstown,  and  his  communication 
being  disturbed  by  their  cavalry,  General  Lee  quietly  withdrew 
to  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac.  While  in  line  of  battle  at 
Hagerstown,  General  Lee  complimented  the  troops  for  the  fortitude 
which  they  had  exhibited  under  so  many  seemingly  insurmounta- 
ble difficulties.  He  told  them  that  they  had  not  only  been  success- 
ful in  repelling  the  enemy  from  Virginia,  but  that  they  had  pene- 
trated their  territory,  and  had  passed  through  one  of  the  most 
sanguinary  battles  ever  fought  on  the  American  continent.  He 
told  them  that  the  ordnance  had  again  been  supplied  with  ammu- 
nition from  Williamsport,  and  that  he  now  called  upon  them  to 
exhibit  their  usual  valor.  He  reminded  them  of  their  homes  which 
they  left  supplied  with  all  the  comforts  of  life,  but  which  were  now 
rendered  destitute  by  the  relentless  hand  of  an  infuriated  enemy. 
He  reminded  them  of  their  aged  fathers  and  mothers,  their  wives  and 
their  children,  who  were  looking  to  them  for  protection;  and  he 
gave  them  the  assurance  that  the  omnipotent  hand  that  had  con- 
ducted them  through  so  many  battles,  would  again  be  their  shield 
in  the  day  of  the  coming  combat.  This  appeal,  emanating  from 
General  Lee,  upon  whom  the  affections  of  the  whole  army  were 
centred,  caused  each  heart  to  beat  quicker,  and  each  bosom  to 
swell  higher  with  patriotic  emotion. 

General  Lee  re-crossed  the  Potomac  at  Falling  Water  on  the 
14th  day  of  July,  just  one  month  from  the  time  he  left  Fredericks- 
burg. He  had  marched  into  Pennsylvania  with  about  one  hundred 
thousand  men.  Every  heart  was  buoyant  with  hope,  confident  of 
success,  and  filled  with  enthusiasm.  The  affections  of  the  troops 
for  their  great  leader  amounted  to  reverence;  and  such  entire  con. 
fidence  was  reposed  in  him,  that  danger  was  disregarded,  and 
Bufferings  forgotten.  In  their  ardor  to  follow  him  to  the  deadly 
conflict,  they  had  traveled  more  than  two  hundred  miles,  and 
had  fought  one  of  the  greatest  battles  upon  record;  lost  about 
fifteen  thousand  of  their  comrades  in  killed  and  wounded.  All 
this  upon  half  rations,  without  a  change  of  clothing,  and  were 


54 

now  in  tatters.  Yet  not  a  murmur  was  heard;  and  the  voice  of 
their  beloved  General  would  send  an  awakening  thrill  through  the 
heart  of  the  worn  and  jaded  soldier. 

Arriving  at  the  Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac,  the  Confederates 
were  fired  upon  by  the  enemy,  but  having  several  guns  placed  in 
position  so  as  not  to  be  observed,  they  soon  succeeded  in  driving 
them  back.  General  Lee  remained  at  Falling  Water  two  days. 
He  then  moved  back  to  Bunker  Hill,  about  fifteen  miles  from  the 
Potomac,  and  went  into  camp. 

The  army  was  now  almost  without  rations.  The  men  had  sub- 
sisted on  short  rations  since  they  left  their  position  at  Hagerstown, 
and  were  now  suffering  from  hunger.  The  country  around  Mar- 
tinsburg,  Bunker  Hill  and  Winchester  had  been  desolated  by  its 
constant  occupation  by  one  or  the  other  of  the  hostile  forces,  and 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  procure  even  one-third  as  much  as  was 
necessary  to  subsist  the  army  now  encamped  in  it.  The  army 
subsisted  partially,  during  their  week's  stay  at  Bunker  Hill,  upon 
dewberries,  which,  happily  for  them,  covered  the  ground.  No 
blame  can  be  attached  to  the  commissaries  for  the  want  of  provi- 
sions, for,  upon  investigation,  it  was  found  that  it  was  irremediable. 
General  Lee  left  Bunker  Hill  about  the  2d  of  July,  1863,  re-crossed 
the  Blue  Ridge  at  Chester  Gap,  and  arrived  at  Culpeper  Court 
House  on  the  25th,  traveling  a  distance  of  nearly  one  hundred  miles 
in  five  days.  Provisions  were  scarce  all  along  the  route,  and  many 
of  the  troops  were  compelled  to  subsist  upon  one  pound  of  flour 
during  the  march.  Beef  and  berries  were  eaten  morning,  noon  and 
night. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  the  Federals  crossed  a  large  force  of 
cavalry,  supported  by  infantry,  over  the  Rappahannock.  General 
J.  E.  B.  Stuart  was  unable  to  hold  them  in  check,  and  fell  back 
o-radually  until  he  could  be  reinforced  by  infantry.  He  suffered 
the  enemy  to  get  within  one  mile  of  the  infantry  camps,  before 
they  wex'e  called  upon  to  assist  him.  General  Anderson's  division 
was  ordered  to  his  support.  They  formed  in  line  near  Culpeper 
Court  House,  and  at  right  angles  with  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 


55 

railroad,  and  succeeded,  with  the  cavalry,  in  forcing  the  enemy- 
back  across  the  river.  The  fighting  ceased  at  sundown.  The  army 
remained  at  Cnlpeper  until  the  3d  of  August,  when  it  fell  back  to 
the  south  bank  of  the  Rapid  Ann  river,  and  went  into  camp  near 
Orange  Court  House. 

General  Longstreet's  corps  was  then  sent  to  Tennessee  to  rein- 
force General  Bragg.  The  remaining  two  corps  rested  quietly  in 
camp  during  the  months  of  August  and  September.  The  Federal 
army  moved  into  Oulpeper  county,  establishing  head  quarters  at 
Culpeper  Court  House,  while  the  outposts  of  the  two  armies  eon- 
fronted  each  other  on  the  Rapid  Ann  river. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Battles    of  Bristoe    Station    and    Miine    linn. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  1863,  General  Lee  put  his  army  in  motion 
for  the  purpose  of  compelling  Meade  to  evacuate  Culpeper.  The 
country  there  is  so  situated  as  to  make  it  impracticable,  if  not 
hazardous,  for  one  army  to  advance  upon  another  direct  from 
Orange  Court  House,  even  when  they  equalled  each  other  in  point 
of  numbers.  General  Lee  being,  as  it  was  supposed,  outnumbered 
by  the  foe,  accomplished  his  object  by  a  flank  movement  to  the 
left  of  Orange  Court  House,  bearing  near  the  Blue  Ridge  moun- 
tain, thus  holding  the  advantage  over  Meade,  who,  seeing  the  whole 
Confederate  force  hovering  upon  his  right  flank,  and  threatening 
his  rear,  was  compelled  to  retire  from  Culpeper  Court  House,  and 
fall  back  to  Manassas.  The  Federal  army  retreated  on  a  direct 
line  from  Culpeper,  followed  by  General  Ewell.  General  Hill  con- 
tinued to  bear  close  to  the  mountains,  until  he  reached  Warren- 
ton,  where  he  -took  the  turnpike  road  leading  through  Manassas 
plains  to  Alexandria.  This  corps  came  up  with  the  Federal  cavalry 
on  the  l4th  of  October,  near  New  Baltimore.  The  Sixteenth  Mis- 
sissippi regiment  was  in  the  advance,  and  the  Wilkinson  Rifles, 


56 

under  Captain  John  Lewis,  supported  by  the  Quitman  Guards, 
under  Captain  Bain,  were  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers.  Gene- 
ral Hill,  having  discovered  that  the  Federal  infantryhad  gone  into 
camp  at  Bristoe  Station,  about  six  miles  to  his  right,  left  the  Six- 
teenth Mississippi  regiment,  then  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Samuel  E.  Baker,  at  New  Baltimore,  to  guard  the  .road,  and  if  pos- 
sible, drive  the  Federal  cavalry  from  the  place,  moved  his  corps 
directly  across  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  Fede- 
ral infantry  in  their  camps.  Colonel  Baker  moved  his  skirmishers 
forward,  keeping  the  regiment  in  supporting  distance.  The  Wil- 
kinson Rifles  had  not  proceeded  far,  after  forming  their  line,  before 
they  came  up  with  the  Federal  cavalry,  which  they  immediately 
engaged.  The  Federals  fought  with  stubbornness.  The  Quitman 
Guards  moved  up  rapidly,  and  doubled  the  skirmish  line,  when 
both  companies  rushed  forward  to  the  attack.  The  cavalry  fell 
back  until  they  crossed  Broad  Run,  when  they  formed  in  line  on  a 
commanding  ridge.  Companies  K  and  E  continued  to  advance, 
keeping  up  a  rapid  fire.  The  Federals  discharged  several  delibe- 
rate volleys  at  them  as  they  advanced,  but  did  not  succeed  in 
checking  them. 

Arriving  at  Broad  Run,  the  skirmishers,  unwilling  to  be  delayed 
by  crossing  the  bridge,  plunged  into  the  stream,  crossed  over  and 
drove  the  Federal  cavalry  from  the  ridge,  and  compelled  them  to 
continue  their  retreat.  The  Quitman  Guards  were  now  halted,  and 
the  Wilkinson  Rifles  followed  the  enemy  several  miles  further. 
Meeting  the  Federal  infantry  at  Bristoe  Station,  General  Hill 
immediately  began  the  attack  with  Cook's  North  Carolina  brigade 
of  conscripts,  of  Heth's  division,  assisted  by  a  battery  from  Ander- 
son's division.  The  Federals,  having  received  the  news  of  the 
proximity  of  Hill,  were  consequently  not  surprised,  but  had  formed 
their  line  of  battle  in  a  railroad  cut,  so  as  not  to  be  seen  by  the 
advancing  Confederates.  They  had  thrown  their  skirmishers  sev- 
eral hundred  yards  in  their  front,  who  did  not  stop  with  the  line  of 
battle  as  they  fell  back,  but  crossed  the  railroad,  and  the  uncon- 
scious North  Carolinians  marched  up  within  fifty  yards  of  the  cut. 


57 

when  the  Federals  poured  a  destructive  volley  into  their  ranks, 
killing  and  wounding  a  large  number,  causing  them  to  waver, 
which  being  perceived  by  the  Federals,  they  sprang  from  their 
covert,  charged  them,  drove  them  back,  and  captured  the  battery 
of  five  guns.  Perceiving  the  sudden  repulse  of  Cook's  brigade, 
and  the  loss  of  the  battery,  General  Hill  immediately  put  Ander- 
son's division,  with  a  few  other  troops,  into  action,  and  in  turn 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  field,  but  we  believe  failed  to  take  the 
battery.  General  Ewell's  corps  not  having  arrived,  and  night 
coming  on,  General  Hill  could  not  pursue  the  Federals,  who 
retreated  under  cover  of  night.  The  infantry,  by  orders  from  Gen. 
Lee,  tore  up  the  railroad  track,  from  Manassas  to  the  Rappahan- 
nock river.  The  cavalry  pursued  the  retreating  Federals  to  Bull 
Run.  Brigadier  General  Carnot  Posey  was  wounded  at  Bristoe 
Station,  and  died  at  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  from  its  effects.  He 
was  a  good  man,  a  brave  and  efficient  officer,  and  merited  the  love, 
esteem  and  confidence  which  the  officers  and  men  of  his  brigade 
reposed  in  him.  Two  of  his  sons  were  on  his  staff  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  who,  with  the  whole  brigade,  mourned  his  loss.  Many 
young  men  of  his  brigade  have  had  the  advantage  of  his  fatherly 
advice  and  guardian  care.  His  loss  produced  a  vacancy  which  all 
who  knew  him,  both  soldier  and  civilian,  felt  it  difficult  to  fill.  All 
felt  that  one  of  the  brightest  stars  in  the  galaxy  of  generals  had 
fallen.  But  few  of  his  now  bereaved  brigade  were  lost  in  this 
engagement. 

As  soon  as  the  destruction  of  the  railroad  track  was  completed, 
General  Lee  returned  to  Culpeper,  where  he  remained  until  the  1th 
of  November,  when  the  Federals  again  moved  up  to  the  Rappa- 
hannock and  attacked  two  brigades  stationed  in  rifle  pits  on  that 
river,  under  the  command  of  Hays  and  Hoax.  The  Federals  charged 
them  with  a  large  force  in  front,  and  at  the  same  time  moved  a 
force  by  the  river's  edge  in  their  rear.  These  two  brigades  fought 
until  the  Federals  got  into  their  trenches,  and  fought  hand  to  hand 
until  they  were  compelled,  by  overwhelming  numbers,  to  yield  the 

ground.     So  sudden  was  this  attack,  that  there  was  not  sufficient 
8 


58 

time  to  send  reinforcements  across  the  river  to  their  assistance, 
before  they  were  nearly  all  captured.  The  loss  of  the  Confederates 
was  about  one  thousand  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  With 
the  hope  of  drawing  them  across  the  river,  General  Lee  retired 
early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  to  within  three  miles  of  Cul- 
peper  Court  House,  and  formed  his  line  of  battle,  where  he  remained 
through  the  day,  expecting  them  to  cross  the  river  and  attack  him. 
On  the  following  night  he  caused  large  fires  to  be  built,  left  the 
cavalry  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  retired  with 
the  infantry  and  artillery,  under  cover  of  the  night,  to  the  south 
bank  of  the  Kapid  Ann.  The  cavalry  remained  in  the  position  at 
Culpeper  until  the  next  day,  when  they  withdrew  to  the  Rapid 
Ann,  followed  by  the  Federals.  Arriving  at  the  beautiful  plains 
surrounding  Kapid  Ann  station,  a  brisk  fight  ensued  between  the 
two  cavalry  forces,  which  resulted  in  nothing  definite,  each  main- 
taining its  position.  On  the  10th  of  October  there  was  a  considera- 
ble snow  storm,  and  the  troops  busied  themselves  in  the  construc- 
tion of  shanties  to  shield  themselves,  as  much  as  possible,  from 
the  piercing  winter  blast,  and  quiet  reigned  through  the  remaining 
portion  of  October  and  the  greater  part  of  November.  Knowing 
that  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  dislodge  Lee  from  his  posi- 
tion on  the  Rapid  Ann,  by  attacking  him  immediately  in  the  front, 
on  the  21  ih  of  November  the  Federals  crossed  a  heavy  force  at 
Germana  Ford,  on  the  right  of  Lee,  with  the  expectation,  it  was 
thought,  of  cutting  him  off  from  Richmond,  or  compelling  him  to 
fall  back  upon  that  place.  But  General  Lee,  being  advised  of  the 
intentions  and  movements  of  the  Federals,  proceeded  to  frustrate 
their  plans  with  the  sagacity  and  prudence  always  exhibited  by 
him. 

One  corps  of  the  Federal  army  under  General  French,  crossed  at 
Germana,  but  before  proceeding  far  into  the  country,  they  were 
attacked  by  General  Edward  Johnston's  division  of  EwelPs  corps, 
and  driven  back  across  the  river.  The  loss  of  the  Federals  was 
estimated  at  six  hundred  prisoners,  besides  the  killed  and  wounded, 
■which  was  heavy.     A  large   number   of  wagons   and  ambulances 


69 

were  destroyed,  and  two  or  three  hundred  horses  and  mules  were 
brought  safely  into  the  Confederate  lines.  Johnston  now  returned 
to  the  main  body  of  the  army,  which  was  moving  on  the  plank  road 
from  Orange  Court  House  towards  Fredericksburg.  The  Federals 
then  crossed  at  Ely's  F(3rd,  lower  down  the  river,  and  on  the  28th 
of  November  the  two  armies  confronted  each  other  in  line  of  bat- 
tle, on  Mine  Run,  a  small  stream  emptying  into  the  Rapid  Ann. 
The  Confederate  army  was  stationed  on  the  west,  and  the  Federal 
army  on  the  east  side  of  the  stream.  Each  army  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  fortify  itself,  and  remained  in  line,  each  waiting  for  the 
other  to  begin  the  attack,  until  the  morning  of  the  30th.  Copious 
showers  had  fallen,  and  the  weather  was  now  at  a  freezing  tem- 
perature, and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  the  troops  saved  them- 
selves from  freezing.  The  sun  arose  with  unusual  effulgence,  and 
was  appreciated  by  the  shivering  armies.  The  30th  of  November, 
though  not  fraught  with  such  momentous  results  as  numerous 
other  days  of  the  war,  was  made  memorable  by  its  sanguinary 
incidents.  The  ground  was  covered  with  ice  and  the  vegetation, 
drooping  and  dying  from  the  effects  of  the  winter's  severity,  the 
contemplation  of  which,  mingled  with  thoughts  of  the  coming 
struggle,  caused  a  gloom  to  come  over  our  spirits,  which  the  efful- 
gence of  the  rising  sun  could  not  wholly  dispel.  The  indistinct 
sound  of  artillery  was  soon  heard  far  away  to  the  left,  which  was 
taken  up  in  deafening  thunders  by  the  guns  all  along  the  line,  and 
reverberated  through  the  distant  hills  and  broad  forest  which  sur- 
rounded the  two  armies.  The  sound  of  the  musketry  was  unheard 
amid  the  booming  of  the  cannon.  The  Federals  moved  forward 
their  line  of  battle  behind  their  skirmishers,  and  the  Confederate 
skirmishers  began  to  withdraw.  As  soon  as  the  Federal  line 
emerged  from  the  wood  in  which  it  had  been  stationed,  the  Con- 
federate batteries  opened  npon  it,  doing  much  damage.  The  Con- 
federate skirmishers  fell  back  to  a  point  about  one  hundred  yards 
distant  from  their  entrenchments,  closely  followed  by  the  Federals, 
when,  seeing  the  effect  of  their  artillery,  they  faced  about,  and  with 
an  enthusiastic  yell,  charged  the  Federal  skirmishers  and  drove 


60 

them  back  to  their  battle  line,  which  had  been  halted  that  their 
oflScers  might  survey  Lee's  position  before  making  the  assault. 
Perceiving  that  General  Lee  was  stationed  on  a  commanding  ridge 
and  strongly  entrenched,  and  knowing  that  an  attack  upon  him 
would  be  accompanied  with  a  fearful  sacrifice  of  life,  the  Federals 
concluded  to  withdraw.  General  Lee  did  not  advance,  but  re- 
mained quiet  in  his  position  until  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  2d  of  December,  when,  perceiving  that  the  Federals 
were  moving,  he  took  Anderson's  division  from  the  trenches, 
formed  the  other  troops  in  single  line,  and  moved  around  on  his 
extreme  right,  in  order  to  repel  any  movement  made  in  that  quar- 
ter. But  at  the  dawn  of  day  he  found  that  the  Federals  had  aban- 
doned their  position  and  re-crossed  the  Rapid  Ann  river.  The  Con- 
federate army  then  returned  to  their  winter  quarters.  The  loss  of 
the  Confederate  army  in  this  affair  did  not  amount  to  more  than 
five  hundred  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  This  campaign  lasted 
six  days,  and  though  there  was  not  much  fighting,  the  troops  suf- 
fered greatly  from  the  severity  of  the  weather,  being  compelled  to 
pass  the  freezing  nights  without  fire;  and  being  thinly  clad,  they 
had  nothing  to  shield  them  from  the  cutting  winds,  save  their 
^,hreadbare  blankets.  The  quarters  of  the  Sixteenth  regiment  were 
ei-  jcted  on  a  high  hill,  at  the  foot  of  Clark's  Mountain,  from  which 
position  they  had  a  full  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  By 
ascending  Clark's  Mountain,  we  could  overlook  the  Federal  camps 
in  Culpcper  county,  and,  with  the  aid  of  a  glass,  could  discern 
more  than  a  dozen  towns,  each  of  which  had  been  the  scene  of 
numerous  battles  during  the  last  two  years.  The  open  fields  of 
Stafi'ord  on  tlie  right,  near  Fredericksburg,  where  the  Federal  army 
under  Burnside  had  quartered,  was  plainly  visible.  The  beautiful 
valley  of  the  river  lay  stretched  in  the  distance,  and  the  Blue  Ridge, 
over  which  we  had  passed  so  often,  arose  on  the  left  in  majestic 
grandeur. 

Many  of  the  troops  had  not  visited  their  homes  for  three  years, 
and  though  sufiering  intensely  from  the  scarcity  of  clothing  and 
provision,  and  the  exposed   duty  they  had  to  perform,  yet  the 


61 


beauty  of  the  scenery  by  which  they  were  surrounded  enlivened 
them,  while  the  buoyant  hope  of  an  early  and  successful  termina- 
tion of  the  war,  caused  them  to  look  upon  their  sufferings  as  of 
little  moment,  when  compared  with  the  quiet  and  peace  which 
they  hoped  soon  to  enjoy.  The  chaplains  of  each  regiment  held 
religious  services  for  the  benefit  of  the  troops,  a  majority  of  whom 
became  deeply  interested.  A  constant  religious  revival  prevailed 
through  the  whole  army  from  iJie  time  of  the  organization  of  the- 
Ohristian  Philanthropic  Association  at  United  States  Ford.  Pres- 
byterians, Methodists,  Baptists  and  Episcopalians  united  as  one 
brotherhood  in  the  sacred  cause  of  philanthropy,  and  in  the  diffu- 
sion of  religion  and  morality  among  the  soldiers.  Conversions 
were  frequent,  and  the  songs  of  religious  worship  could  be  heard 
in  the  camps  of  every  regiment,  shedding  a  lustre  over  the  gloom 
which  dreary  winter  had  forced  upon  them,  and  cheering  the 
drooping  spirits  of  the  suffering  soldier. 

The  chief  exercise  of  the  troops  during  their  encampment  here 
was  fighting  mimic  battles  with  snow  balls.  They  were  often  led 
by  their  colonels  and  company  ofScers,  and  would  sometimes  fight 
for  hours — until  one  or  the  other  party  was  driven  from  the  field, 

A  few  furloughs  were  granted  during  the  winter,  but  not  a  suffi- 
cient number  to  allow  all  to  visit  their  homes.  General  Lee 
adopted  a  furlough  system  which  gave  a  great  many  more  an 
opportunity  to  obtain  them  than  could  otherwise  have  done  so. 
Each  man  was  granted  a  furlough  of  thirty  days,  who  would  fur- 
nish to  the  army  an  able-bodied  recruit,  noo  subject  to  military 
duty.  This  system  brought  a  large  number  of  recruits  to  the 
army,  who  proved  themselves  good  and  efficient  soldiers  by  their 
gallant  conduct  in  the  great  campaigns  which  followed,  the  final 
results  of  which  decided  the  fate  of  the  South. 

We  forgot  to  mention,  in  its  proper  place,  that  Colonel  N.  H. 
Harris,  of  the  Nineteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  General  Posey. 


62 
CHAPTER  X. 

Campaign    of  1864   and   1865. 

The  campaign  of  1864  and  1865  was  fraught  with  great  conse- 
qnences,  being  filled  with  so  many, events,  that  we  feel  inadequate 
to  the  task  of  unfolding  them  to  the  reader  in  a  clear  and  distinct 
manner.  We  will  not  attempt  a  itfnute  description  of  the  innume- 
rable movements  and  manoeuvres  of  the  array  from  the  beginning 
of  the  campaign  on  the  5th  of  May,  1864,  to  the  surrender  of  the 
army  in  April,  1865;  but  will  endeavor  to  give  an  outline,  and 
confine  ourselves  principally  to  the  most  important  incidents  con- 
nected with  the  Quitman  Guards  and  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi 
regiment. 

After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in  Georgia,  in  which  General 
Longstreet's  corps  was  engaged,  and  which  resulted  in  a  victory 
to  the  Confederate  forces,  his  corps  was  moved  into  East  Tennes- 
see, and  was  engaged  during  the  winter  in  operations  around 
Knoxville.  General  U.  S,  Grant  was  made  lieutenant-general  of 
the  United  States  forces,  and  placed  at  the  head  of  the  army  of 
the  Potomac;  and  he  determined,  if  possible,  to  bring  the  war  to 
a  speedy  close.  General  Grant  collected  a  large  force  immedi- 
ately in  his  front,  on  the  Rapid  Ann,  and  sent  a  force  under  Gen- 
eral Butler  up  James  river,  which  was  opposed  by  a  force  of  Con- 
federates under  General  Beauregard.  General  Longstreet  wag 
now  ordered  to  rejoin  the  army. 

General  Grant  put  his  army  in  motion  on  the  4th  of  May,  and 
some  time  during  the  5th  finished  its  crossing  over  the  Rapid  Ann 
river  at  Germana  and  other  adjacent  fords,  and  moved  out  into  a 
section  of  country  lying  between  Orange  Court  House  and  Frede- 
ricksburg, called  "  The  Wilderness."  General  Lee  was  there  with 
a  portion  of  his  forces  to  meet  him,  and  succeeded  in  driving  him 
back  about  a  mile,  thereby  gaining  for  himself  a  desirable  position. 
The  opposing  lines  were  now  formed  across  the  plank  road  which 


63 

leads  from  Orange  Court  House  to  Fredericksburg.  Early  in  the 
morning  of  the  6th,  the  remainder  of  the  army  arrived  and  took  its 
position:  Longstreet  on  the  right,  Hill  in  the  centre,  and  Ewell  on 
the  left,  constituting  a  line  nearly  six  miles  in  length.  Prepara- 
tions were  rapidly  going  on  for  a  general  engagement.  The  coun- 
try being  level,  and  thickly  covered  with  timber,  rendered  artil- 
lery almost  useless.  About  two  o'clock  on  the  6th  of  May,  Harris' 
brigade  was  put  into  action,  and  were  engaged  until  dark.  It 
succeeded  in  driving  the  Feder^s  about  two  miles.  The  Quitman 
Guards,  in  this  engagement,  lost  but  one  man — Matthew  Wilson — 
who  was  mortally  wounded.  Being  some  distance  in  front  of  the 
main  line  of  battle,  the  brigade,  as  soon  as  night  came  on,  was 
ordered  back,  and  took  its  proper  position  in  line,  and  immediately 
began  to  construct  breastworks.  On  the  tth,  there  was  not  more 
than  a  division  that  was  engaged  with  the  Confederates  at  the 
same  time.  These  attacks  of  the  enemy  were  as  often  repulsed  as 
made.  Late  in  the  evening  a  severe  attack  was  made  on  Long- 
streetj  for  the  purpose  of  turning  his  right  flank,  but  without  suc- 
cess. Longstreet  fell,  severely  wounded,  while  cheering  his  men 
in  the  heat  of  the  assault.  The  Federals  were  forced  to  withdraw. 
Major-General  R.  H,  Anderson  was  placed  in  command  of  General 
Longstreet's  corps.  Brigadier-General  Mahone,  being  senior, 
assumed  command  of  Anderson's  division.  Perceiving  the  impos- 
sibility of  dislodging  Lee  from  his  position  in  the  Wilderness, 
Grant  began  to  move  his  left  toward  Spotsylvania  Court  House, 
for  the  purpose  of  drawing  Lee  out  of  the  Wilderness  into  a  moi'e 
open  country,  and,  if  possible,  turn  his  right  flank,  and  thus  cut 
him  off  from  Richmond.  But  Lee  watched  every  movement  of  his 
antagonist  with  an  eagle's  eye,  keeping  troops  continually  in  his 
front.  Anderson's  corps  proceeded  to  Spotsylvania  during  the 
night,  to  confront  the  forces  sent  in  that  direction  by  Grant.  The 
remaining  portion  of  the  Confederate  army  was  stationed  in  the 
Wilderness.  This  movement  left  a  space  between  the  Wilderness 
and  Spotsylvania  unoccupied,  through  which  Lee  must  pass  in 
order  to  reach  Spotsylvania  Court  House.     The  Federals,  perceiv- 


64 

ing  this,  took  immediate  advantage  of  it,  by  occupying  the  road. 
This  was  on  Sunday,  the  8th  of  May.  General  Lee's  whole  army 
was  moving  to  the  right,  on  a  line  parallel  with  Grant,  and  came 
up  with  him  at  Shady  Grove,  where  he  had  taken  possession  of  the 
road  leading  to  Spotsylvania  Court  House. 

Mahone's  division  was  put  into  action,  and,  after  about  an  hour's 
fighting,  succeeded  in  driving  the  Federals  back,  and  regaining  the 
road.  The  loss  on  the  Confederate  side  was  small.  T.  J.  Andrews, 
of  the  Quitman  Guards,  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  arm  by  a 
Minnie  ball,  but  returned  to  his  post  after  the  fight  was  ended. 
H.  Murray  Sandell  was  also  slightly  wounded  in  the  thigh ;  but 
with  indomitable  spirit  and  dauntless  courage,  he  marched  on  with 
his  wounds  uncared  for.  As  the  Confederates  kept  several  can- 
non continually  playing  on  the  retreating  column  of  Federals, 
their  loss  was  heavier  than  that  of  the  Confederates. 

On  the  9th,  the  army  moved  to  Spotsylvania  Court  House,  where 
Anderson  had  entrenched  himself,  and  was  opposing  a  heavy  force 
of  Federals.  Lee's  line  was  formed  in  front  of  the  Court  House, 
facing  north  toward  the  river  Po.  The  Confederates  strongly  for- 
ti£ed  themselves,  and  quietly  awaited  the  attack.  On  the  lOtb, 
the  Federals  made  a  number  of  desperate  assaults  on  different  por- 
tions of  Lee's  line,  but  without  success. 

The  Texas  Brigade,  it  was  said,  was  charged  seventeen  times 
during  the  day.  Having  an  advantageous  position,  with  strong 
breastworks,  and  trees  felled  in  front,  it  was  successful  in  repelling 
every  charge.  In  the  afternoon.  Grant  brought  a  force  to  bear  on 
Lee's  left.  He  succeeded  in  placing  a  few  guns  in  position,  and 
began  to  enfilade  the  Confederate  line.  Hill's  corps  was  on  the 
left,  and  was  commanded  by  Major  General  Early,  who  moved 
Heth's  division  to  the  left,  and  across  the  river  Po,  so  as  to  con- 
front the  Federals,  and  at  the  same  time  flanked  them  with  a  heavy 
line  of  skirmishers.  The  Federals  had  fortified  themselves,  but 
being  attacked  in  the  front,  and  flanked  simultaneously,  they  were 
compelled  to  yield  to  their  determined  assailants,  leaving  several 
pieces  of  artillery,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Confederates, 


65 

Mahone's  division  immediately  crossed  the  river  Po,  and  took 
possession  of  tlie  commanding'  ridge  from  which  the  Federals  had 
been  driven.  The  troops  devoted  the  day  of  the  11th  to  fortifying 
this  position.  In  the  meantime,  severe  fighting  was  kept  up  on 
different  portions  of  the  line,  which  resulted  in  nothing  of  impor- 
tance. 

On  the  night  of  the  11th,  General  Grant  massed  a  heavy  force 
on  the  centre,  in  front  of  the  division  commanded  by  Major-Gene- 
ral  Edward  Johnston.  They  moved  very  quietly  under  protection 
of  a  hill,  and  succeeded  in  gaining  a  point  about  thirty  yards  dis- 
tant from  the  Confederate  breastworks.  At  this  place  the  lines 
swung  around  so  as  to  assume  the  shape  of  ahorse  shoe;  and  from 
the  desperate  fighting  there,  this  place  received  the  appellation  of 
"  Bloody  Bend."  General  Grant,  taking  advantage  of  a  thick  fog 
on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  charged  the  Confederate  lines.  There 
was  not  sufficient  time  for  the  firing  of  but  one  volley  before  the 
Federals  were  in  the  trenches  in  overwhelming  numbers,  capturing 
General  Edward  Johnston,  with  about  twenty-five  hundred  of  his 
men.  Mahone's  division  was  immediately  ordered  to  leave  its 
position  on  the  left,  and  proceeded  in  double  quick  time  to  Spot- 
sylvania. On  arriving  there,  Harris'  brigade,  with  McGowan's 
South  Carolina  brigade,  of  Wilcox  s  division,  were  chosen  to 
retake  the  works  so  captured  by  the  Federals  from  Johnston's 
division.  The  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment  was  in  advance  of 
the  brigade,  and  being  unfortunately  led  by  an  officer  (not  of  the 
brigade)  who  disobeyed  his  orders,  and  left  General  Harris  in  the 
critical  hour,  it  marched  by  the  flank  within  a  very  short  distance 
of  the  Federals,  and  received  a  murderous  fire.  Fortunately  thtre 
was  a  row  of  breastworks  near  hy,  sufficiently  large  to  protect  the 
brigade  until  it  could  form  properly  to  make  the  charge.  General 
Harris  stood  on  top  of  these  works,  exposed  to  a  shower  of  bullets, 
in  order  to  ascertain  the  point  of  attack  with  as  much  exactness  as 
the  dense  fog  would  permit,  and  then  ordered  his  men  forward. 
Apprehending  the  desperate  and  bloody  character  of  the  prospec- 
tive charge,  the  men  at  first  hesitated,  but  seeing  their  colors 


66 

moving  forward,  borne  by  the  gallant  Alexander  Mixon,  whose 
clarion-like  voice  resounded  along  the  line,  urging  the  men  to 
follow,  they  hesitated  no  longer,  but  rushed  forward  through  a 
storm  of  bullets,  and  were  in  a  short  time  in  possession  of  the 
trenches. 

McGowan's  South  Carolinians  were  to  take  the  works  on  the 
right,  but  having  mistaken  their  course,  and  being  prevented  by 
the  dense  fog  from  perceiving  that  Harris'  brigade  had  possession 
of  the  trenches,  they  fired  into  that  brigade,  and  moved  up  to  the 
same  point  occupied  by  it,  thus  leaving  the  works  on  the  right 
still  in  possession  of  the  Federals.  The  Federals  now  fell  back  to 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  when  the  contest  assumed  truly  a  desperate 
character.  Charge  after  charge  was  made  by  the  Federals  with 
great  desperation.  Brigade  after  brigade  was  pushed  forward  by 
them;  but  notwithstanding  these  desperate  charges,  and  the  enfi- 
lading fire  to  which  the  Confederates  were  exposed,  they  held  their 
own,  without  a  minute's  cessation  of  musketry,  for  twenty  hours. 

A  continuous  shower  of  rain  fell  during  the  time,  and  the  ditches 
were  filled  with  water,  reddened  with  the  blood  that  gushed  from 
the  mangled  forms  of  the  slain  and  wounded.  Dead  men  literally 
covered  the  ground.  Trees  as  large  as  a  man's  body  were  whit- 
tled down  by  Minie  balls.  Thousands  of  the  gallant  slain,  friend 
and  foe,  were  piled  promiscuously  over  the  field  No  record,  in 
either  ancient  or  modern  warfare,  furnishes  anything  like  a  paral- 
lel to  the  heroism  here  exhibited,  or  the  fearful  carnage  which 
characterized  this  battle.  We  will  not  attempt  to  describe  the 
heart-rending  scene,  exhibited  by  the  bloody  field  of  Spotsylvania, 
after  the  battle.  It  is  sufficient  for  those  who  have  seen  war's  red 
visao-e,  to  say  that  it  was  awful  in  the  extreme.  It  was  there  that 
those  gallant  officers.  Colonel  Samuel  E.  Baker  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  A.  M.  Feltus,  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi,  fell.  They  fell 
covered  with  laurels,  but  their  loss  was  regarded  by  all  as  a  heavy 
and  irreparable  calamity.  No  officers  were  more  beloved,  or  the 
recipients  of  more  unbounded  confidence.  It  was  felt  by  the  whole 
army  that  two  more  of  the  stars  from  the  galaxy  of  noble  spirits, 


67 

had  fallen.  The  casualties  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment 
were  heavier  in  this  than  any  other  previous  battle.  Company  F 
lost  twelve  men  killed.  The  following  are  the  casualties  of  the 
Quitman  Guards:  Alexander  Mixou,  color  bearer,  and  Elisha  T. 
Rushing,  killed.  H.  D.  Sandifer,  Robert  D.  Stovall  and  L.  W. 
Conerly,  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  one  hundred  and 
fifty-one  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  conduct  of  the  Con- 
federate troops  engaged  at  "  Bloody  Bend,"  in  the  buttle  of  Spot- 
sylvania Court  House,  not  only  drew  forth  the  praise  of  their  own 
generals,  but  elicited  the  admiration  of  the  Federal  generals,  one 
of  whom  afterwards  stated,  in  an  order  to  their  troops,  that  the 
conduct  of  the  Confederates,  on  the  12th  of  May,  was  truly  sub- 
lime. It  was  stated  upon  the  evidence  of  General  Johnston,  that 
during  the  twenty-two  hours  of  this  engagement,  the  two  Confed* 
erate  brigades  (Harris'  and  McGowan's)  were  opposed  by  forty 
thousand  Federals.  General  Ewell  was  so  highly  pleased  with 
the  gallantry  exhibited  by  Harris'  brigade,  in  holding  the  breast- 
works which  it  had  taken,  that  he  issued  a  special  complimentary 
order,  accompanied  by  a  written  statement  from  General  Edward 
Johnston,  of  the  number  of  Federals  which  opposed  it,  and  the  few 
other  troops  engaged  at  "  Bloody  Bend."  We  hereto  append  the 
letter  from  General  Ewell  to  General  Harris: 

Headquarters  DEPARTjfEXT  of  Richmond,  ) 
Richmond,  Va.,  Dec.  27th,  1864.      ) 

General  N.  H.  Harris,  Commanding  Brigade  : 

General — I  have  omitted  to  acknowledge  the  valuable  services 
rendered  by  your  brigade  on  the  12th  May,  instant,  at  Spotsylva- 
nia, not  from  any  want  of  appreciation,  but  because  I  wish  my 
thanks  to  re.st  upon  the  solid  foundation  of  official  reports.  The 
manner  in  which  your  brigade  charged  over  the  hills  to  recapture 
our  works,  was  witnessed  bj'-  me  with  intense  admiration  for  men 
who  could  advance  so  calmly  to  what  seemed  and  proved  almost 
certain  death.  I  have  never  seen  troops  under  a  hotter  fire  than 
was  endured  on  this  day,  by  your  brigade  and  some  others.  Major 
General  Edward  Johnston,  since  his  exchange,  has  assured  me 
that  the  whole  strength  of  the  enemy's  army  was  poured  into  the 
gap  caused  by  the  capture  of  his  command.     He  estimates  the  force 


68 

engaged  at  this  place,  on  their  side,  at  lorty  thousand,  besides  Bir- 
ney's  command  of  perfectly  fresh  troops.  Prisoners  from  all  of 
their  three  corps  were  taken  by  us.  Two  divisions  of  my  corps, 
your  brigade  and  two  others,  (one  of  which  was  scarcely  engaged,) 
confronted  successfully  this  immense  host,  and  not  only  won  from 
them  nearly  all  the  ground  they  had  gained,  but  so  shattered  their 
array  that  they  were  unable  again  to  make  a  serious  attack  .until 
they  received  fresh  troops.  I  have  not  forgotten  the  conduct  of 
the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment,  while  under  my  command,  from 
Front  Royal  to  Malvern  Hill.  I  am  glad  to  see,  from  a  trial  more 
severe  than  any  experienced  while  in  my  division,  that  the  regi- 
naent  is  in  a  brigade  of  which  it  may  well  be  proud. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  R.  S.  Ewell, 

Lieutenant  General. 
The  colors  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi  regiment  were  perforated 
by  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  bullets  in  this  fight.  A  severe 
fight  occurred  on  the  19th,  which  came  near  resulting  in  a  general 
engagement,  more  artillery  being  used  on  that  day  than  on  the 
12th.  From  that  time  to  the  investment  of  Richmond  and  Peters- 
burg, and  up  to  the  surrender  of  General  Lee,  the  "  Array  of  Nor- 
thern Virginia"  and  that  of  the  Potomac,  confronted  each  other  in 
line  of  battle.  The  two  arraies  left  Spotsylvania  about  the  20th, 
and  marched  in  parallel  lines  with  oach  other,  fighting  nearly  every 
day.  On  the  23d  they  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  Hanover  Junc- 
tion, where  some  skirmishing  occurred.  On  the  24th,  the  Confed- 
erate army  moved  back  about  a  mile  to  prepare  for  the  advance  of 
the  enemy,  who  had  crossed  the  Anna  river.  The  Federals  began 
to  advance  in  the  afternoon,  and  were  met  by  skirmishers  from 
Harris'  brigade  and  two  regiments  of  an  Alabama  brigade.  The 
Federals  were  driven  back,  losing  a  considerable  number  in  killed, 
wounded  and  prisoners.  The  array  then  moved,  and  took  position 
on  the  Cljickaborainy  river,  being  nearly  the  same  occupied  by  it 
during  the  seven  days'  battle  before  Richmond.  On  the  3d  of  June 
a  considerable  battle  was  fought  at  Cold  Harbor,  (the  scene  of  a 


6d 

great  battle  in  ttie  same  month  nearly  two  years  before,)  which 
resulted  in  the  repulse  of  the  Federals. 

On  the  6th  of  June  the  Quitman  Guards  lost  one  man,  J.  D. 
Stanford,  killed  in  a  skirmish  charge  at  Turkey  Ridge,  near  the 
Chickahominy  river. 

This  brings  us  up  to  the  investment  of  Richmond  and  Peters- 
burg, and  for  the  ten  months  following  incessant  firing  was  kept 
up  and  innumerable  battles  fought  on  the  flanks.  On  the  18th  of 
June,  Harris'  brigade  was  put  in  the  trenches  at  Petersburg,  where 
it  remained  for  five  months,  exposed  to  a  constant  cannonading 
and  fire  from  sharpshooters,  losing  more  or  less  men  every  day. 
Some  time  in  July  it  was  ordered  out  of  the  trenches,  and  was 
shortly  afterwards  engaged  in  a  fight  at  the  Davis  House,  near  the 
Weldon  railroad,  which  resulted  in  the  repulse  of  the  Federals, 
with  the  loss  of  sixteen  hundred  prisoners.  The  brigade  was  then 
ordered  back  to  the  trenches.  On  the  Itth  of  August  it  was  again 
taken  out  of  the  trenches,  went  to  Richmond,  and  was  engaged  in 
a  fight  on  the  18th  at  New  Market.  On  the  19th  we  took  the  cars 
and  returned  to  Petersburg,  and  were  on  the  21st  engaged  in  a 
fight  on  the  Weldou  railroad.  During  the  absence  of  some  of  Lee's 
troops  on  that  portion  of  the  line,  the  Federals  moved  in,  took  pos- 
session of  the  I'oad  and  fortified  themselves.  Mahone's  division 
attacked  them  for  the  purpose  of  driving  them  out,  but  being  some- 
what mistaken  in  their  position,  his  division  suffered  greatly,  and 
did  not  succeed  in  getting  possession  of  the  road.  The  Sixteenth 
regiment  lost  heavily  on  this  occasion  ;  Colonel  Council  was 
wounded  and  captured,  Lieutenant  Colonel  S.  McNeil  Bain  was 
also  captured.  The  casualties  of  the  Quitman  Guards  were  as  fol- 
lows: A.  E.  Ard  and  Tilman  S.  Larakin,  killed;  W.  J.  Lamkin, 
wounded;  S.  R.  Lamkin,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Twelve 
others  were  captured,  whose  names  may  be  found  in  the  statistical 
report  of  the  company,  to  be  found  at  the  commencement  of  this 
sketch. 

After  the  fight  on  the  Weldon  railroad,  the  brigade  returned  to 
its  position  in  the  trenches  before  Petersburg,  where  it  remained 


70 

until  about  the  12th  of  November.  It  was  then  again  taken  out, 
moved  about  three  miles  to  the  right,  and  built  winter  quarters, 
but  was  almost  constantly  on  active  duty  in  repelling  advances 
made  by  the  Federals  on  the  front  and  right.  The  two  opposing 
lines  were  about  two  hundred  yards  ap'art,  and  kept  up  a  continual 
picket  firing  and  cannonading.  The  suffering  of  the  army  while 
quartered  here  was  intense,  the  men  having  nothing  to  shield  them 
from  the  rain,  sleet  and  snow.  Great  scarcity  of  wood  prevailed; 
we  had  but  few  blankets,  and  they  inferior  in  quality.  But  half 
clothed  and  half  fed,  we  were,  in  this  condition,  compelled  to  pass 
this  freezing  winter  in  trenches,  knee  deep  in  mud  or  filled  with 
ice  and  snow.  Yet,  with  unprecedented  endurance,  the  men  stood 
at  their  posts,  keeping  up  their  spirits  by  a  continual  interchange 
of  leaden  compliments  with  the  enemy.  Railroad  communication 
with  the  South  was  at  length  cut  off,  thus  causing  a  greater  scarcity 
of  provisions  and  supplies.  This,  together  with  the  known  con- 
stant and  large  accessions  to  the  Federal  army,  caused  despond- 
ency, if  not  despair,  for  the  first  time  to  settle  upon  the  "  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia."  On  the  5th  and  6th  of  February,  1865,  the 
Federals  attempted  a  flank  movement  on  Lee  by  way  of  Hatcher's 
Run,  south  of  Petersburg,  but  were  attacked  and  driven  back. 
Harris'  brigade  was  engaged  in  this  attack,  but  its  loss  was  small. 
On  the  1st  of  March  Harris'  brigade  occupied  the  position  between 
the  Appomatos  and  James  rivers,  then  recently  vacated  by  Pic- 
ket's division,  which  division  was  sent  to  some  other  portion  of  the 
line.  General  Sheridan  began  serious  demonstrations  on  Rich- 
mond with  his  cavalry,  and  Harris'  brigade,  with  Stuart's  and 
Caussey's  Virginia  brigades,  were  sent  out  to  check  his  movements, 
which  they  succeeded  in  doing.  They  then  returned  to  their  quar- 
ters, between  the  Appomatox  and  James  rivers,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  2d  day  of  April. 

The  Federals  finally  succeeded  in  flanking  General  Lee  at 
Hatcher's  Run,  and  at  the  same  time  succeeded  in  breaking  our 
lines  on  the  right  of  Petersburg,  held  by  Heth's  and  Wilcox's  divi- 
sions.    Early  in  the  morning  of  that   day,  Harris'  brigade  left  its 


71 

position  between  the  Appomatox  and  James  rivers,  being  ordered 
to  reinforce  the  troops  which  had  lost  their  works  on  the  right  of 
Petersburg.  Arriving  at  that  place,  they  immediately  went  into 
action,  but  were  compelled  to  fall  back  slowly  before  the  over- 
whelming numbers  of  the  Federals,  until  they  arrived  at  Fort 
Gregg,  where  they  made  a  stand  and  fought  with  desperate  deter- 
mination. Though  the  number  in  the  fort  did  not  overreach  one 
hundred,  yet  they  succeeded  in  repulsing  the  Federals  several 
times,  inflicting  great  slaughter,  and  did  not  surrender  until  the 
fort  was  filled  with  overwhelming  numbers  of  the  enemy.  As  it 
may  not  be  deemed  inappropriate,  we  here  append  a  portion  of  an 
article  written  by  a  correspondent  of  the  London  Fortnightly  Re- 
view, though  we  disagree  with  him  as  to  the  numbers  in  the  fort: 

"  The  oflBcer  in  command  of  Fort  Alexander,  which  was  far- 
therest  away  from  the  oncoming  Federals,  deemed  it  more  impor- 
tant to  save  his  guns  than  to  try  and  help  Fort  Gregg.  Receiving 
no  assistance  from  its  twin-brother,  Fort  Gregg,  manned  by  Har- 
ris' Mississippi  brigade,  numbering  two  hundred  and  fifty  un- 
daunted men,  breasted  intrepidly  the  tide  of  its  multitudinous 
assailants.  Three  times  Gibbon's  corps  surged  up  and  around  the 
works — three  times,  with  dreadful  carnage,  they  were  driven  back. 
I  am  told  that  it  was  subsequently  admitted  by  Gen.  Gibbon,  that 
in  carrying  Fort  Gregg  he  lost  five  or  six  hundred  men,  or  in  other 
words,  that  each  Mississippian  inside  the  works  struck  down  at 
least  two  assailants.  When  at  last  the  works  were  carried,  there 
remained  out  of  its  two  hundred  and  fifty  defenders  but  thirty  sur- 
vivors. In  those  nine  memorable  days  there  was  no  episode  more 
glorious  to  the  Confederate  arms  than  the  heroic  self-immolation 
of  the  Mississippians  in  Fort  Gregg,  to  gain  time  for  their  com- 
rades." 

In  this  desperate  struggle  for  the  fort,  William  L.  Sparkman 
and  Sergeant  Robert  D.  Stovall,  of  the  Quitman  Guards,  lost  their 
lives. 

Colonel  Duncan,  then  in  command  of  the  Sixteenth  Mississippi 
regiment,  was  severely  wounded,    Lieutenaut-General  Hill  was 


72 

killed  in  the  attempt  to  cut  his  way  out.  All  of  the  Sixteenth  and 
Twelfth  regiments  were  captured.  The  two  other  regiments, 
Nineteenth  and  Forty-eighth,  under  General  Harris,  made  their 
escape. 

The  Confederate  army  evacuated  Petersburg  on  the  night  of  the 
2d  of  April,  and  retreated  to  Appomatox  Court  House,  the  retreat 
being  covered  principally  by  the  remaining  portion  of  Mahone's 
division. 

This  was  the  last  retreat  of  the  "  Array  of  Northern  Virginia." 
After  four  years  of  incessant  battles,  arduous  marches,  and  unpar- 
alleled sufferings,  it  surrendered  to  the  "  Army  of  the  Potomac" 
at  Appomatox  Court  House,  Va.,  on  the  9tb  of  April,  1865.  Sher- 
man was  approaching  from  Wilmington,  by  way  of  Goldsboro,  N, 
C ,  with  a  force  of  seventy-five  thousand  men.  Thomas  was 
moving  with  a  force  of  fifty  thousand  by  way  of  Knoxville.  Tenn., 
into  North  Carulina.  The  gallant  "  Army  of  Northern  Virginia" 
being  reduced  to  about  one-sixth  its  former  numbers,  without  pro- 
visions or  munitions  of  war,  and  being  now  confronted  by  a  force 
of  one  hundred  and  twent^i-five  thousand  strong,  there  was  no 
recourse  but  to  surrender. 

\Vc  here  append  the  correspondence  between  Generals  Lee  and 
Grant  upon  the  subject  of  the  surrender. 

GENERAL  GRANT  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

April  Tth. 
General  R.  E.  Lee  : 

The  result  of  the  last  week  must  convince  you  of  the  hopeless- 
ness of  further  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia  in  this  struggle.  I  feel  that  it  is  so,  and  regard  it  as  my 
duty  to  shift  from  myself  the  responsibility  of  any  further  eflTusion 
of  blood,  by  asking  of  you  the  surrender  of  that  portion  of  the 
Confederate  States  armies,  known  as  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia. 

Very  Respectfully, 

U.  S.  Grant, 
Lieutenant-  General. 


73 


GENERAL    LES   TO    GEA'ERAL   GRANT. 

April  n: 
General:  I  have  received  your  note  of  this  date.  Though  not 
entirely  of  the  opinion  you  expre.ss  of  the  hopelessness  of  farther 
resistance  on  the  part  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  I  respect 
your  desire  to  evade  the  useless  effusion  of  blood;  and,  therefore, 
before  considering  your  proposition,  ask  the  terms  you  will  offer 
as  condition  of  surrender. 

R.  E.  Lee. 


GENERAL  GRANT  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

April  8, 
General:  Your  note  of  last  evening,  in  reply  to  mine  of  same 
date,  asking  on  what  condition  you  will  accept  the  surrender  of 
the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  is  received.  In  reply,  I  would 
say,  that,  peace  being  my  first  desire,  there  is  but  one  condition  I 
insist  on:  namely,  that  the  men  surrendered  shall  be  disqualified 
from  taking  up  arms  against  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
jintil  properly  exchanged.  I  will  meet  you,  or  designate  officers 
to  meet  any  officers  you  may  name  for  the  same  purpose,  at  any 
point  agreeable  to  you,  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  definitely  the 
terms  on  which  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia 
will  be  received. 

Very  Kespectfally, 

U.  S.  Grant, 
Lieutenanl-GeneraJ. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  GENERAL  GRANT. 


April  8. 
General:  T  received,  at  u  iate  Iiour,  a  note  in  answer  to  mine  yes- 
terday. I  did  not  intend  to  propose  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  but  ask  the  terms  of  your  proposition;  but  to 
be  frank,  I  do  not  think  the  emergency  has  arisen  to  call  for  the 
surrender;  but  as  the  restoration  of  peace  should  be  the  sole 
object  of  all,  I  desire  to  know  whether  your  proposals  would  tend 
to  that  end.  I  cannot,  therefore,  meet  you  with  a  view  to  surrender 
the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia;  but   as  far  as   your  proposition 


74 

may  affect  the  Confederate  States  forces  under  my  command,  and 
tend  lo  the  restoration  of  peace,  I  shall  be  pleased  to  meet  you  at 
10  A.  M.,  to-morrow,  at  the  old  stage  road  to  Richmond,  between 
the  picket  lines  of  the  two  armies. 

Very  Respectfully, 

R.  E.  Lee. 


GENERAL  GRANT  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

April  9. 
General:  Your  note  of  yesterday  is  received.  As  I  have  no 
authority  to  treat  on  the  subject  of  peace,  the  meeting  proposed 
at  10  A.  M.,  to-day,  could  lead  tb  no  good,  I  will  state,  however, 
General,  that  I  am  equally  anxious  for  peace  with  yourself,  and 
the  whole  North  entertain  the  same  feeling.  Terms  hy  which 
peace  can  be  had,  are  well  understood  by  the  South.  By  laying 
down  their  arms,  they  will  hasten  that  most  desirable  event,  save 
thousands  of  human  lives,  and  hundreds  of  millions  of  property 
not  yet  destroyed.  Sincerely  hoping  that  all  our  difficulties  may 
be  settled  without  the  loss  of  another  life,  I  subscribe  myself, 

Very  Respectfully, 

U.  S.  Grant, 
Lieutenant-General. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  GENERAL  GRANT. 

April  9. 
General:  I  received  your  note  oi  this  morning  on  the  picket  line, 
whither  I  had  come  to  meet  you,  and  ascertain  definitely  what 
terms  were  embraced  in  your  proposition  of  yesterday,  with  refer- 
ence to  the  surrender  of  this  army.  I  now  request  an  interview 
in  accordance  with  the  terms  offered,  contained  in  yours  of  yes- 
terday, for  that  purpose. 

Very  Respectfully, 

Your  ob't  Serv't, 

R.  E.  Lee, 
General. 


75 

GENERAL  GRANT  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

April  9. 
To  General  R.  E.  Lee,  commanding  C.  S.  Armies  : 

Your  note  of  this  date  is  but  this  moment  (11:15  A.  M.)  received, 
in  consequence  of  my  having  passed  from  the  Richmond  and 
Lynchburg  railroad  to  the  Jonesville  and  Lynchburg  road.  I  am, 
at  this  writing,  about  four  miles  west  of  Walter's  Church,  and  will 
push  forward  to  the  front  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  you.  Notice 
sent  to  me  on  this  road,  where  you  wish  the  interview  to  take 
place,  will  meet  mo. 

Very  Respectfully, 

Your  Ob't  Serv't, 

U.  S.  Grant, 
Lieutenant-  General. 

GENERAL  GRANT  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

AppoiiATOS,  April  9th. 
General  R.  E.  Lee,  commanding  C.  S.  Armies  : 

In  accordance  with  the  substance  of  my  letter  to  you  of  the  8th, 
I  propose  to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia, on  the  following  terms,  to-wit:  the  rolls  of  all  the  officers 
and  men  to  bo  made  in'duplicate,  one  copy  to  be  given  to  an  officer 
designated  by  me,  and  the  other  to  be  retained  by  such  officers  as 
you  may  designate;  the  officers  to  give  their  individual  paroles 
not  to  take  up  arms  against  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
until  properly  exchanged,  and  each  company  or  regimental  com- 
mander sign  a  like  parole  for  the  men  of  their  commands;  the 
arms,  artillery  and  public  property  to  be  parked  and  stacked,  and 
turned  over  to  the  officers  appointed  by  me  to  receive  them.  This 
will  not  embrace  the  side  arms  of  the  officers,  and  not  their  pri- 
vate horses  or  baggage.  This  done,  each  officer  and  man  will  be 
allowed  to  return  to  their  homes,  not  to  be  disturbed  by  the  United 
States  authorities,  so  long  as  they  observe  their  paroles,  aud  the 
laws  in  force  where  they  reside. 

Very  Respectfully, 

U.  S.  Grant, 
Lieutenant-  GeneraL 


general  lee  to  general  grant. 

Head  Quarters  Army  Northern  Virginia,  ) 

April  9th.  ) 
Lieutenant- General  Grant:  1  have  received  your  letter  of  this 
date,  containing  terms  of  surrender  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia, as  proposed  by  you;  and  as  they  are  the  same  expressed  in 
your  letter  of  the  8th  instant,  they  are  accepted.  I  will  propose 
to  designate  the  proper  oflBcers  to  carry  the  stipulations  into  effect. 

Very  Respectfully, 

E.  E.  Lee. 

We  here  copy  from  the  correspondent  of  the  London  Fortnightly 
Review,  the  following : 

"  As  the  great  Confederate  Captain  rode  back  from  his  inter- 
view with  General  Grant,  the  news  of  the  surrender  acquired 
shape  and  consistency,  and  could  no  longer  be  denied  The  effect 
upon  the  worn  and  battered  troops,  some  of  whom  had  fought  since 
April,  1861,  and  (sparse  survivors  of  hecatombs  of  fallen  com- 
rades) had  passed  unscathed  through  such  hurricanes  of  shot  as 
within  four  years  no  other  men  had  experienced,  passed  mortal 
description.  Whole  lines  of  battle  rushed  up  to  their  beloved  old 
chief,  and,  choking  with  emotion,  broke  ranks  and  struggled  with 
each  other  to  wring  him  once  more  by  the  hand.  Men  who  had 
fought  throughout  the  war,  and  knew  what  the  agony  and  humili- 
ation of  that  moment  must  be  to  him,  strove,  with  a  refinement  of 
unseiiishness  and  tenderness  which  he  alone  could  fully  appreciate, 
to  lighten  his  burden  and  mitigate  his  pain.  Lee  at  length  com- 
manded voice  enough  to  say:  "  Men,  we  have  fought  through  the 
war  togethei\  I  have  done  the  best  that  I  could  for  you."  Not  an 
eve  that  looked  on  that  scene  was  dry.  Nor  was  this  emotion  of 
sickly  sentimentalists,  but  of  rough  and  rugged  men,  familiar 
with  hardships,  danger  and  death  in  a  thousand  shapes,  mastered 
by  sympathy'-  and  feeling  for  another,  which  they  never  expe- 
rienced on  their  own  account.  I  know  of  no  other  passage  of 
military  history  so  touching,  unless,  in  spite  of  the  melo-dramatic 
coloring  which  French  historians  have  loved  to  shed  over  the 
ecene,  it  can  be  found  in  the  Adieux  de  Fontainbleau." 


77 

GENERAL   R.    E.    LKE's    FAREWELL   TO    HIS    ARMY. 

NORTHERJ 

April  10,   1865 


Headquarters  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  ) 


General  Orders  No.  9. 

After  four  years  of  arduous  service,  marked  by  unsurpassed 
courage  and  fortitude,  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  has  been 
compelled  to  yield  to  overwhelming  numbers  and  resources. 

I  need  not  tell  the  brave  survivors  of  so  many  hard  fought  bat- 
tles, who  have  remained  steadfast  to  the  last,  that  I  have  con- 
sented to  this  result  from  no  distrust  of  them. 

But  feeling  that  valor  and  devotion  could  accomplish  nothing, 
that  could  compensate  for  the  loss  that  would  have  attended  the 
continuance  of  the  contest,  I  determined  to  avoid  the  useless  sac- 
rifice of  those  whose  past  services  have  endeared  thbm  to  their 
countrymen. 

By  the  terms  of  the  agreement,  the  officers  and  men  can  return 
to  their  homes  and  remain  until  exchanged.  You  will  take  with 
you  the  satisfaction  that  proceeds  from  the  consciousness  of  duty 
faithfully  performed,  and  I  earnestly  pray  that  a  merciful  God  will 
extend  to  you  His  blessings  and  protection. 

With  an  unceasing  admiration  of  your  courage  and  devotion  to 
your  country,  and  a  grateful  remembrance  of  your  kind  and  gen- 
erous consideration  for  myself,  I  bid  you  an  affectionate  farewell. 

R.  E.  Lee,   General. 


ERRATA. 

Page  11,  9th  line,  instead  of  "  21st  Regt.,"  read  "21st  Georgia  Regiment." 
Page  44,  14th  line,  instead  of  J.  "Dumay"  Travis,  read  J.  "Quincy"  Travis. 
Page  50,  32d  line,  instead  of  ''were  dispirited,"  read  ''more  despei'ate." 
Page  51,  25th  line,  instead  of  "drawn,"  read  "driven." 
Page  64,  10th  line,  insteafl  of  "after."  read  "before." 


